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AIM-26 Falcon vs AIM-9X Sidewinder

AIM-26 Falcon vs AIM-9X Sidewinder at a glance β€” range 10 vs 35 km, speed 2,450 vs 3,087 km/h, warhead 18 vs 9 kg, launch weight 92 vs 85 kg.

Specifications
AIM-26 Falcon AIM-9X Sidewinder
Origin πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
Category Air-to-Air Air-to-Air
Type Air-to-air missile Short-range air-to-air missile
Manufacturer Hughes Raytheon Company
Service year 1961 1956
Number produced -- units 110,000 units
Estimated unit price NA $0.4 million
Range 10.0 km 35.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 2.0 Mach 2.5
Weight 92 kg 85 kg
Warhead 18.0 kg 9.0 kg
Length 2.14 m 3.02 m
Diameter 290 mm 127 mm
Guidance Semi-active radar homing Imaging infrared homing
Warhead type Conventional Annular blast-fragmentation
Scale Comparison
AIM-26 FALCON 2.14 m AIM-9X SIDEWINDER 3.02 m 1.75 m
Performance Radar Chart
Change comparison vs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder has a longer range at 35 km compared to the AIM-26 Falcon's 10 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-9X 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-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-26 Falcon carries a larger warhead at 18 kg compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 9 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-26 Falcon is heavier at 92 kg compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is longer at 3.02 meters compared to the AIM-26 Falcon's 2.14 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-26 Falcon and AIM-9X Sidewinder use?
The AIM-26 Falcon uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the AIM-9X Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-26 Falcon or AIM-9X Sidewinder?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 5 years before the AIM-26 Falcon which entered service in 1961.