AIM-120 AMRAAM vs Shafrir / Python
The AIM-120 AMRAAM and the Shafrir / Python are both Air-to-Air missiles. The AIM-120 AMRAAM has a range of 105 km — 7.0x the Shafrir / Python's 15 km. The AIM-120 AMRAAM reaches 4,940 km/h vs 2,593 km/h for the Shafrir / Python. The AIM-120 AMRAAM carries a 20 kg warhead vs 11 kg for the Shafrir / Python. Launch weight is 161 kg for the AIM-120 AMRAAM vs 93 kg for the Shafrir / Python. The AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance, while the Shafrir / Python relies on Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging. The AIM-120 AMRAAM entered service 12 years before the Shafrir / Python (1991 vs 2003).
| 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 |
| Israeli air-to-air missile, entered service in 2003, uses infrared homing and electro-optical imaging guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Rafael |
| Service year | 2003 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Range | 105.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 161.5 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 20.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.65 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 178 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink |
| Warhead type | High explosive blast-fragmentation |
| Range | 15.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.1 ◉ |
| Weight | 93 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.47 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM has a longer range at 105 km compared to the Shafrir / Python's 15 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the Shafrir / Python's Mach 2.1.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM carries a larger warhead at 20 kg compared to the Shafrir / Python's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is heavier at 161 kg compared to the Shafrir / Python's 93 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is longer at 3.65 meters compared to the Shafrir / Python's 2.47 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-120 AMRAAM and Shafrir / Python use?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance while the Shafrir / Python uses Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM entered service first in 1991, 12 years before the Shafrir / Python which entered service in 2003.