AIM-7 Sparrow vs R-77M
The AIM-7 Sparrow and the R-77M are both Air-to-Air missiles. The R-77M has a range of 200 km — 2.9x the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km. The AIM-7 Sparrow reaches 4,939 km/h vs 6,125 km/h for the R-77M. The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a 39 kg warhead vs 22 kg for the R-77M. Launch weight is 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs 190 kg for the R-77M. The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the R-77M relies on Active electronically scanned array seeker. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 36 years before the R-77M (1958 vs 1994).
| 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 |
| Russian air-to-air missile, entered service in 1994, employs an active electronically scanned array seeker. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile |
| Manufacturer | Vympel |
| Service year | 1994 |
| 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 | 200.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 5.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 190 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 22.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.71 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 200 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Active electronically scanned array seeker |
| Warhead type | Expanding rod |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-7 Sparrow or R-77M?
The R-77M has a longer range at 200 km compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 70 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-7 Sparrow or R-77M?
The R-77M is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 5.0 compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-7 Sparrow or R-77M?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the R-77M's 22 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-7 Sparrow or R-77M?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the R-77M's 190 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-7 Sparrow or R-77M?
The R-77M is longer at 3.71 meters compared to the AIM-7 Sparrow's 3.68 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-7 Sparrow and R-77M use?
The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the R-77M uses Active electronically scanned array seeker guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-7 Sparrow or R-77M?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 36 years before the R-77M which entered service in 1994.