R-33 vs R550 Magic
The R-33 and the R550 Magic are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-33 has a range of 160 km — 13:1 the R550 Magic's 12 km. The R-33 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the R550 Magic. The R-33 carries a 47.5 kg warhead vs 12.5 kg for the R550 Magic. Launch weight is 490 kg for the R-33 vs 89 kg for the R550 Magic. The R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance, while the R550 Magic relies on Infrared homing. The R-33 entered service 5 years before the R550 Magic (1981 vs 1986).
| 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 |
| French air-to-air missile, entering service in 1986, utilizes infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Matra |
| Service year | 1986 |
| Number produced | 11,300 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.1 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 | 12.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 89 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 12.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.75 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the R-33 or R550 Magic?
The R-33 has a longer range at 160 km compared to the R550 Magic's 12 km.
Which is faster, the R-33 or R550 Magic?
The R-33 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the R550 Magic's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-33 or R550 Magic?
The R-33 carries a larger warhead at 47 kg compared to the R550 Magic's 12 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-33 or R550 Magic?
The R-33 is heavier at 490 kg compared to the R550 Magic's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the R-33 or R550 Magic?
The R-33 is longer at 4.15 meters compared to the R550 Magic's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-33 and R550 Magic use?
The R-33 uses Inertial and semi-active radar homing guidance while the R550 Magic uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-33 or R550 Magic?
The R-33 entered service first in 1981, 5 years before the R550 Magic which entered service in 1986.