AIM-9 Sidewinder vs Derby
The AIM-9 Sidewinder and the Derby are both Air-to-Air missiles. The Derby has a range of 50 km — 2.9x the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km. The AIM-9 Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the Derby. The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a 10.2 kg warhead vs 11 kg for the Derby. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 105 kg for the Derby. The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance, while the Derby relies on Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging. Unit cost is $0.4M for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs $0.02M for the Derby. The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 47 years before the Derby (1956 vs 2003).
| 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 |
| Israeli air-to-air missile, entered service in 2003, utilizes infrared homing and electro-optical imaging guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Short-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Service year | 2003 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.0 million |
| 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 | 50.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 105 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.10 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-9 Sidewinder or Derby?
The Derby has a longer range at 50 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Derby?
The Derby is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Derby?
The Derby carries a larger warhead at 11 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Derby?
The Derby is heavier at 105 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Derby?
The Derby is longer at 3.10 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-9 Sidewinder and Derby use?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance while the Derby uses Infrared homing and electro-optical imaging guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Derby?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 47 years before the Derby which entered service in 2003.