AIM-7 Sparrow vs PL-7
The AIM-7 Sparrow and the PL-7 are both Air-to-Air missiles. The AIM-7 Sparrow has a range of 70 km — 5.0x the PL-7's 14 km. The AIM-7 Sparrow reaches 4,939 km/h vs 3,087 km/h for the PL-7. The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a 39 kg warhead vs 12.5 kg for the PL-7. Launch weight is 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs 89 kg for the PL-7. The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the PL-7 relies on Infrared homing.
| 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 |
| Chinese infrared-guided air-to-air missile, with a 7 km range, manufactured by Zhuzhou Factory 311. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Zhuzhou Factory 311 |
| Service year | -- |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| 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 | 14.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 89 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 12.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.74 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 165 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-7 Sparrow or PL-7?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a longer range at 70 km compared to the PL-7's 14 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-7 Sparrow or PL-7?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the PL-7's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-7 Sparrow or PL-7?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the PL-7's 12 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-7 Sparrow or PL-7?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the PL-7's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-7 Sparrow or PL-7?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the PL-7's 2.74 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-7 Sparrow and PL-7 use?
The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the PL-7 uses Infrared homing guidance.