GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

AIM-54 Phoenix vs AIM-9 Sidewinder

AIM-54 Phoenix vs AIM-9 Sidewinder at a glance — range 190 vs 17 km, speed 6,174 vs 3,087 km/h, warhead 61 vs 10 kg, launch weight 470 vs 85 kg.

Specifications
AIM-54 Phoenix AIM-9 Sidewinder
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇺🇸 United States
Category Air-to-Air Air-to-Air
Type Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile Infrared-guided air-to-air missile
Manufacturer Hughes Raytheon
Service year 1974 1956
Number produced -- units 110,000 units
Estimated unit price $0.5 million $0.4 million
Range 190.0 km 17.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 5.0 Mach 2.5
Weight 470 kg 85 kg
Warhead 61.0 kg 10.2 kg
Length 4.00 m 2.85 m
Diameter 380 mm 127 mm
Guidance Semi-active and active radar homing Imaging infrared homing focal plane array
Warhead type High Explosive High Explosive
Scale Comparison
AIM-54 PHOENIX 4 m AIM-9 SIDEWINDER 2.85 m 1.75 m
Performance Radar Chart
Change comparison vs
Related Comparisons
AIM-9 Sidewinder vs R-73 AIM-54 Phoenix vs AIM-9X Sidewinder AIM-54 Phoenix vs AIM-7 Sparrow AIM-54 Phoenix vs AIM-4 Falcon AIM-54 Phoenix vs AIM-120 AMRAAM AIM-54 Phoenix vs R550 Magic

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-54 Phoenix has a longer range at 190 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 5.0 compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-54 Phoenix carries a larger warhead at 61 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is heavier at 470 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is longer at 4.00 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-54 Phoenix and AIM-9 Sidewinder use?
The AIM-54 Phoenix uses Semi-active and active radar homing guidance while the AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-54 Phoenix or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 18 years before the AIM-54 Phoenix which entered service in 1974.