AIM-7 Sparrow vs ASTRA
The AIM-7 Sparrow and the ASTRA are both Air-to-Air missiles. The ASTRA has a range of 340 km — 4.9x the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km. The AIM-7 Sparrow reaches 4,939 km/h vs 5,513 km/h for the ASTRA. The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a 39 kg warhead vs 15 kg for the ASTRA. Launch weight is 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs 154 kg for the ASTRA. The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the ASTRA relies on Mid-course FOG-INS, terminal ARH. Unit cost is $0.125M for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs $0.95M for the ASTRA. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 61 years before the ASTRA (1958 vs 2019).
| 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 |
| Indian air-to-air missile, entered service in 2019, with a range of 340 km. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇳 India |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Bharat Dynamics Limited |
| Service year | 2019 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $1.0 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 | 340.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 154 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 15.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.84 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 200 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Mid-course FOG-INS, terminal ARH |
| Warhead type | High-explosive pre-fragmented |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-7 Sparrow or ASTRA?
The ASTRA has a longer range at 340 km compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-7 Sparrow or ASTRA?
The ASTRA is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-7 Sparrow or ASTRA?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the ASTRA's 15 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-7 Sparrow or ASTRA?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the ASTRA's 154 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-7 Sparrow or ASTRA?
The ASTRA is longer at 3.84 meters compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 3.68 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-7 Sparrow and ASTRA use?
The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the ASTRA uses Mid-course FOG-INS, terminal ARH guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-7 Sparrow or ASTRA?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 61 years before the ASTRA which entered service in 2019.