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AIM-120 AMRAAM vs R550 Magic

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Specifications
AIM-120 AMRAAM R550 Magic
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇫🇷 France
Category Air-to-Air Air-to-Air
Type Active radar-guided air-to-air missile Infrared-guided air-to-air missile
Manufacturer Raytheon / Hughes Matra
Service year 1991 1986
Number produced 14,000 units 11,300 units
Estimated unit price $1.1 million $0.1 million
Range 105.0 km 12.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 4.0 Mach 3.0
Weight 161.5 kg 89 kg
Warhead 20.0 kg 12.5 kg
Length 3.65 m 2.75 m
Diameter 178 mm 160 mm
Guidance Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink Infrared homing
Warhead type High explosive blast-fragmentation High Explosive
Scale Comparison
AIM-120 AMRAAM 3.65 m R550 MAGIC 2.75 m 1.75 m
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The AIM-120 AMRAAM and the R550 Magic are both Air-to-Air missiles.

The AIM-120 AMRAAM has a range of 105 km — 8.8x the R550 Magic's 12 km. The AIM-120 AMRAAM reaches 4,940 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the R550 Magic. The AIM-120 AMRAAM carries a 20 kg warhead vs 12.5 kg for the R550 Magic. Launch weight is 161 kg for the AIM-120 AMRAAM vs 89 kg for the R550 Magic. The AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance, while the R550 Magic relies on Infrared homing.

The AIM-120 AMRAAM has been produced in 14,000 units vs 11,300 for the R550 Magic. Unit cost is $1.09M for the AIM-120 AMRAAM vs $0.09M for the R550 Magic. The R550 Magic entered service 5 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM (1986 vs 1991).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or R550 Magic?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM has a longer range at 105 km compared to the R550 Magic's 12 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or R550 Magic?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the R550 Magic's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or R550 Magic?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM carries a larger warhead at 20 kg compared to the R550 Magic's 12 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or R550 Magic?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is heavier at 161 kg compared to the R550 Magic's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or R550 Magic?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is longer at 3.65 meters compared to the R550 Magic's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-120 AMRAAM and R550 Magic use?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance while the R550 Magic uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or R550 Magic?
The R550 Magic entered service first in 1986, 5 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM which entered service in 1991.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or R550 Magic?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM has been produced in greater numbers with 14,000 units compared to 11,300 units of the R550 Magic.