AIM-9 Sidewinder vs Aspide
The AIM-9 Sidewinder and the Aspide are both Air-to-Air missiles. The Aspide has a range of 70 km — 4.1x the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km. The AIM-9 Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,680 km/h for the Aspide. The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a 10.2 kg warhead vs 33 kg for the Aspide. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 220 kg for the Aspide. The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance, while the Aspide relies on Semi-active radar homing. The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 21 years before the Aspide (1956 vs 1977).
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1956, uses infrared homing to track its target. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1956 |
| Number produced | 110,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.4 million |
| Italian air-to-air missile, entering service in 1977, uses semi-active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇹 Italy |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Selenia |
| Service year | 1977 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Range | 17.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 85 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 10.2 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.85 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing focal plane array |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 70.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.8 ◉ |
| Weight | 220 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 33.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.70 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Aspide?
The Aspide has a longer range at 70 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Aspide?
The Aspide is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.8 compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Aspide?
The Aspide carries a larger warhead at 33 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Aspide?
The Aspide is heavier at 220 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Aspide?
The Aspide is longer at 3.70 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-9 Sidewinder and Aspide use?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance while the Aspide uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Aspide?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 21 years before the Aspide which entered service in 1977.