AAM-4 vs AIM-7 Sparrow
Overview
The AAM-4 and the AIM-7 Sparrow are both Air-to-Air missiles.
Range is 100 km for the AAM-4 vs 70 km for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AAM-4 reaches 5,557 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AAM-4 carries a 31 kg warhead vs 39 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. Launch weight is 222 kg for the AAM-4 vs 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AAM-4 uses Active radar homing, Inertial guidance, Datalink guidance, while the AIM-7 Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing.
Unit cost is $0.45M for the AAM-4 vs $0.125M for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 41 years before the AAM-4 (1958 vs 1999).
| Japanese air-to-air missile, entered service in 1999, uses active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇯🇵 Japan |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
| Service year | 1999 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 million |
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1958, utilizes semi-active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1958 |
| Number produced | 70,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.1 million |
| Range | 100.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 222 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 31.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.67 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Active radar homing, Inertial guidance, Datalink |
| Warhead type | High explosive directional blast-fragmentation |
| Range | 70.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 228 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 39.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.68 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AAM-4 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AAM-4 has a longer range at 100 km compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km.
Which is faster, the AAM-4 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AAM-4 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AAM-4 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the AAM-4's 31 kg.
Which is heavier, the AAM-4 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the AAM-4's 222 kg.
Which is longer, the AAM-4 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the AAM-4's 3.67 meters.
What guidance systems do the AAM-4 and AIM-7 Sparrow use?
The AAM-4 uses Active radar homing, Inertial guidance, Datalink guidance while the AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AAM-4 or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 41 years before the AAM-4 which entered service in 1999.