AIM-120 AMRAAM vs AIM-7 Sparrow

The AIM-120 AMRAAM and the AIM-7 Sparrow are both Air-to-Air missiles. Range is 105 km for the AIM-120 AMRAAM vs 70 km for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-120 AMRAAM reaches 4,940 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-120 AMRAAM carries a 20 kg warhead vs 39 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. Launch weight is 161 kg for the AIM-120 AMRAAM vs 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance, while the AIM-7 Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing. The AIM-120 AMRAAM has been produced in 14,000 units vs 70,000 for the AIM-7 Sparrow. Unit cost is $1.09M for the AIM-120 AMRAAM vs $0.125M for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 33 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM (1958 vs 1991).

American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1991, using active radar homing for terminal guidance.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Air-to-Air
Type Active radar-guided air-to-air missile
Manufacturer Raytheon / Hughes
Service year 1991
Number produced 14,000 units
Estimated unit price $1.1 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 105.0 km â—‰
Maximum speed Mach 4.0 â—‰
Weight 161.5 kg â—‰
Warhead 20.0 kg â—‰
Length 3.65 m â—‰
Diameter 178 mm â—‰
Guidance Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink
Warhead type High explosive blast-fragmentation
Range 70.0 km â—‰
Maximum speed Mach 4.0 â—‰
Weight 228 kg â—‰
Warhead 39.0 kg â—‰
Length 3.68 m â—‰
Diameter 203 mm â—‰
Guidance Semi-active radar homing
Warhead type High Explosive

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM has a longer range at 105 km compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 20 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 161 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 3.65 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-7 Sparrow use?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance while the AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 33 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM which entered service in 1991.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has been produced in greater numbers with 70,000 units compared to 14,000 units of the AIM-120 AMRAAM.