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AIM-26 Falcon vs AIM-9 Sidewinder

AIM-26 Falcon vs AIM-9 Sidewinder at a glance β€” range 10 vs 17 km, speed 2,450 vs 3,087 km/h, warhead 18 vs 10 kg, launch weight 92 vs 85 kg.

Specifications
AIM-26 Falcon AIM-9 Sidewinder
Origin πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
Category Air-to-Air Air-to-Air
Type Air-to-air missile Infrared-guided air-to-air missile
Manufacturer Hughes Raytheon
Service year 1961 1956
Number produced -- units 110,000 units
Estimated unit price NA $0.4 million
Range 10.0 km 17.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 2.0 Mach 2.5
Weight 92 kg 85 kg
Warhead 18.0 kg 10.2 kg
Length 2.14 m 2.85 m
Diameter 290 mm 127 mm
Guidance Semi-active radar homing Imaging infrared homing focal plane array
Warhead type Conventional High Explosive
Scale Comparison
AIM-26 FALCON 2.14 m AIM-9 SIDEWINDER 2.85 m 1.75 m
Performance Radar Chart
Change comparison vs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder has a longer range at 17 km compared to the AIM-26 Falcon's 10 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 compared to the AIM-26 Falcon's Mach 2.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-26 Falcon carries a larger warhead at 18 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-26 Falcon is heavier at 92 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is longer at 2.85 meters compared to the AIM-26 Falcon's 2.14 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-26 Falcon and AIM-9 Sidewinder use?
The AIM-26 Falcon uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 5 years before the AIM-26 Falcon which entered service in 1961.