AIM-54 Phoenix vs AIM-7 Sparrow
The AIM-54 Phoenix and the AIM-7 Sparrow are both Air-to-Air missiles. The AIM-54 Phoenix has a range of 190 km — 2.7x the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km. The AIM-54 Phoenix reaches 6,174 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-54 Phoenix carries a 61 kg warhead vs 39 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. Launch weight is 470 kg for the AIM-54 Phoenix vs 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-54 Phoenix uses Semi-active and active radar homing guidance, while the AIM-7 Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing. Unit cost is $0.477M for the AIM-54 Phoenix vs $0.125M for the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 16 years before the AIM-54 Phoenix (1958 vs 1974).
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1974, uses semi-active and active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Hughes |
| Service year | 1974 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 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 | 190.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 5.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 470 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 61.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.00 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 380 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active and active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 70.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 228 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 39.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.68 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-54 Phoenix has a longer range at 190 km compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 5.0 compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-54 Phoenix carries a larger warhead at 61 kg compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 39 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is heavier at 470 kg compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 228 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is longer at 4.00 meters compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 3.68 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-54 Phoenix and AIM-7 Sparrow use?
The AIM-54 Phoenix uses Semi-active and active radar homing guidance while the AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-7 Sparrow?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 16 years before the AIM-54 Phoenix which entered service in 1974.