AAM-4 vs R550 Magic II

Overview

The AAM-4 and the R550 Magic II are both Air-to-Air missiles.

The AAM-4 has a range of 100 km — 5.0x the R550 Magic II's 20 km. The AAM-4 reaches 5,557 km/h vs 3,334 km/h for the R550 Magic II. The AAM-4 carries a 31 kg warhead vs 12.5 kg for the R550 Magic II. Launch weight is 222 kg for the AAM-4 vs 89 kg for the R550 Magic II. The AAM-4 uses Active radar homing, Inertial guidance, Datalink guidance, while the R550 Magic II relies on Infrared homing.

Unit cost is $0.45M for the AAM-4 vs $0.09M for the R550 Magic II. The R550 Magic II entered service 13 years before the AAM-4 (1986 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
French air-to-air missile, entered service in 1986, uses 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 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 20.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 2.7
Weight 89 kg
Warhead 12.5 kg
Length 2.75 m
Diameter 157 mm
Guidance Infrared homing
Warhead type High Explosive

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the AAM-4 or R550 Magic II?
The AAM-4 has a longer range at 100 km compared to the R550 Magic II's 20 km.
Which is faster, the AAM-4 or R550 Magic II?
The AAM-4 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the R550 Magic II's Mach 2.7.
Which has a larger warhead, the AAM-4 or R550 Magic II?
The AAM-4 carries a larger warhead at 31 kg compared to the R550 Magic II's 12 kg.
Which is heavier, the AAM-4 or R550 Magic II?
The AAM-4 is heavier at 222 kg compared to the R550 Magic II's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the AAM-4 or R550 Magic II?
The AAM-4 is longer at 3.67 meters compared to the R550 Magic II's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the AAM-4 and R550 Magic II use?
The AAM-4 uses Active radar homing, Inertial guidance, Datalink guidance while the R550 Magic II uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AAM-4 or R550 Magic II?
The R550 Magic II entered service first in 1986, 13 years before the AAM-4 which entered service in 1999.