AIM-7 Sparrow vs PL-9
Overview
The AIM-7 Sparrow and the PL-9 are both Air-to-Air missiles.
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a range of 70 km — 2.0x the PL-9's 35 km. The AIM-7 Sparrow reaches 4,939 km/h vs 2,400 km/h for the PL-9. The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a 39 kg warhead vs 11 kg for the PL-9. Launch weight is 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs 115 kg for the PL-9. The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the PL-9 relies on Multi-element infrared.
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 31 years before the PL-9 (1958 vs 1989).
| 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, entered service in 1989, has a range of 22 km. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre |
| Service year | 1989 |
| 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 | 35.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 115 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.90 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 157 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Multi-element infrared |
| 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 PL-9?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a longer range at 70 km compared to the PL-9's 35 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-7 Sparrow or PL-9?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the PL-9's Mach 2.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-7 Sparrow or PL-9?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the PL-9's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-7 Sparrow or PL-9?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the PL-9's 115 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-7 Sparrow or PL-9?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the PL-9's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-7 Sparrow and PL-9 use?
The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the PL-9 uses Multi-element infrared guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-7 Sparrow or PL-9?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 31 years before the PL-9 which entered service in 1989.