AIM-7 Sparrow vs Shafrir / Python
The AIM-7 Sparrow and the Shafrir / Python are both Air-to-Air missiles. The AIM-7 Sparrow has a range of 70 km — 4.7x the Shafrir / Python's 15 km. The AIM-7 Sparrow reaches 4,939 km/h vs 2,593 km/h for the Shafrir / Python. The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a 39 kg warhead vs 11 kg for the Shafrir / Python. Launch weight is 228 kg for the AIM-7 Sparrow vs 93 kg for the Shafrir / Python. The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the Shafrir / Python relies on Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging. The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service 45 years before the Shafrir / Python (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, uses infrared homing and electro-optical imaging guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Rafael |
| Service year | 2003 |
| 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 | 15.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.1 ◉ |
| Weight | 93 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.47 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-7 Sparrow has a longer range at 70 km compared to the Shafrir / Python's 15 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the Shafrir / Python's Mach 2.1.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-7 Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the Shafrir / Python's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the Shafrir / Python's 93 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-7 Sparrow is longer at 3.68 meters compared to the Shafrir / Python's 2.47 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-7 Sparrow and Shafrir / Python use?
The AIM-7 Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the Shafrir / Python uses Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-7 Sparrow or Shafrir / Python?
The AIM-7 Sparrow entered service first in 1958, 45 years before the Shafrir / Python which entered service in 2003.