AIM-7 Sparrow vs AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-7 Sparrow and the AIM-9 Sidewinder are both Air-to-Air missiles. The AIM-7 Sparrow has a range of 70 km — 4.1x the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km. The AIM-7 Sparrow reaches 4,939 km/h vs 3,087 km/h for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a 39 kg warhead vs 10.2 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Launch weight is 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the AIM-9 Sidewinder relies on Imaging infrared homing focal plane array. The AIM-7 Sparrow has been produced in 70,000 units vs 110,000 for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Unit cost is $0.125M for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs $0.4M for the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 2 years before the AIM-7 Sparrow (1956 vs 1958).
| 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
|
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1956, uses infrared homing to track its target. |
| Origin |
🇺🇸 United States
|
| Category |
Air-to-Air |
| Type |
Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer |
Raytheon |
| Service year |
1956 |
| Number produced |
110,000 units
|
| Estimated unit price |
$0.4 million
|
| 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
|
| Range |
17.0 km
◉
|
| Maximum speed |
Mach 2.5
◉
|
| Weight |
85 kg
◉
|
| Warhead |
10.2 kg
◉
|
| Length |
2.85 m
◉
|
| Diameter |
127 mm
◉
|
| Guidance |
Imaging infrared homing focal plane array
|
| Warhead type |
High Explosive
|
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Which has longer range, the AIM-7 Sparrow or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a longer range at 70 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-7 Sparrow or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-7 Sparrow or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-7 Sparrow or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-7 Sparrow or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder use?
The AIM-7 Sparrow 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-7 Sparrow or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 2 years before the AIM-7 Sparrow which entered service in 1958.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the AIM-7 Sparrow or AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder has been produced in greater numbers with 110,000 units compared to 70,000 units of the AIM-7 Sparrow.