AIM-132 ASRAAM vs AIM-7 Sparrow
The AIM-132 ASRAAM and the AIM-7 Sparrow are both Air-to-Air missiles. Range is 50 km for the AIM-132 ASRAAM vs 70 km for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-132 ASRAAM reaches 3,675 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-132 ASRAAM carries a 10 kg warhead vs 39 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. Launch weight is 88 kg for the AIM-132 ASRAAM vs 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-132 ASRAAM uses Infrared homing, inertial guidance guidance, while the AIM-7 Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing. Unit cost is $0.26M for the AIM-132 ASRAAM vs $0.125M for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 40 years before the AIM-132 ASRAAM (1958 vs 1998).
| British infrared-guided missile, entering service in 1998, reaches speeds of Mach 3.0. | |
| Origin | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | MBDA |
| Service year | 1998 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.3 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 | 50.0 km â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 â—‰ |
| Weight | 88 kg â—‰ |
| Warhead | 10.0 kg â—‰ |
| Length | 2.90 m â—‰ |
| Diameter | 166 mm â—‰ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing, inertial guidance |
| Warhead type | 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-132 ASRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a longer range at 70 km compared to the AIM-132 ASRAAM's 50 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-132 ASRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the AIM-132 ASRAAM's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-132 ASRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the AIM-132 ASRAAM's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-132 ASRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the AIM-132 ASRAAM's 88 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-132 ASRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the AIM-132 ASRAAM's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-132 ASRAAM and AIM-7 Sparrow use?
The AIM-132 ASRAAM uses Infrared homing, inertial guidance guidance while the AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-132 ASRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 40 years before the AIM-132 ASRAAM which entered service in 1998.