AIM-7 Sparrow vs Derby
Overview
The AIM-7 Sparrow and the Derby are both Air-to-Air missiles.
Range is 70 km for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs 50 km for the Derby. The AIM-7 Sparrow reaches 4,939 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the Derby. The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a 39 kg warhead vs 11 kg for the Derby. Launch weight is 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs 105 kg for the Derby. The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the Derby relies on Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging.
Unit cost is $0.125M for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs $0.02M for the Derby. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 45 years before the Derby (1958 vs 2003).
| 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 |
| Israeli air-to-air missile, entered service in 2003, utilizes infrared homing and electro-optical imaging guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Short-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Service year | 2003 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.0 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 | 50.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 105 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.10 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging |
| Warhead type | High-explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Derby?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a longer range at 70 km compared to the Derby's 50 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Derby?
Both the AIM-7 Sparrow and Derby have the same maximum speed of Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Derby?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the Derby's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Derby?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the Derby's 105 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Derby?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the Derby's 3.10 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-7 Sparrow and Derby use?
The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the Derby uses Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Derby?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 45 years before the Derby which entered service in 2003.