AIM-7 Sparrow vs Iris-T
The AIM-7 Sparrow and the Iris-T are both Air-to-Air missiles. The AIM-7 Sparrow has a range of 70 km — 2.8x the Iris-T's 25 km. The AIM-7 Sparrow reaches 4,939 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the Iris-T. The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a 39 kg warhead vs 11.5 kg for the Iris-T. Launch weight is 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs 87 kg for the Iris-T. The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the Iris-T relies on Imaging infrared homing. The AIM-7 Sparrow has been produced in 70,000 units vs 5,000 for the Iris-T. Unit cost is $0.125M for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs $0.47M for the Iris-T. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 47 years before the Iris-T (1958 vs 2005).
| 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 |
| German air-to-air missile, entered service in 2005, uses imaging infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Diehl BGT |
| Service year | 2005 |
| Number produced | 5,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 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 | 25.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 87 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.94 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive / Fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Iris-T?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a longer range at 70 km compared to the Iris-T's 25 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Iris-T?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the Iris-T's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Iris-T?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the Iris-T's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Iris-T?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the Iris-T's 87 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Iris-T?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the Iris-T's 2.94 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-7 Sparrow and Iris-T use?
The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Iris-T?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 47 years before the Iris-T which entered service in 2005.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Iris-T?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has been produced in greater numbers with 70,000 units compared to 5,000 units of the Iris-T.