R-33 vs AIM-9X Sidewinder
The R-33 and the AIM-9X Sidewinder are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-33 has a range of 160 km — 4.6x the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 35 km. The R-33 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 3,087 km/h for the AIM-9X Sidewinder. The R-33 carries a 47.5 kg warhead vs 9 kg for the AIM-9X Sidewinder. Launch weight is 490 kg for the R-33 vs 85 kg for the AIM-9X Sidewinder. The R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance, while the AIM-9X Sidewinder relies on Imaging infrared homing. The AIM-9X Sidewinder entered service 25 years before the R-33 (1956 vs 1981).
| Soviet air-to-air missile, entered service in 1981, carries a 47.5 kg warhead. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1981 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1956, utilizes imaging infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Short-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon Company |
| Service year | 1956 |
| Number produced | 110,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.4 million |
| Range | 160.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 490 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 47.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.15 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 380 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial and semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 35.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 85 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 9.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.02 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | Annular blast-fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-33 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The R-33 has a longer range at 160 km compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 35 km.
Which is faster, the R-33 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The R-33 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-33 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The R-33 carries a larger warhead at 47 kg compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 9 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-33 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The R-33 is heavier at 490 kg compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the R-33 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The R-33 is longer at 4.15 meters compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 3.02 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-33 and AIM-9X Sidewinder use?
The R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance while the AIM-9X Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-33 or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 25 years before the R-33 which entered service in 1981.