AIM-9 Sidewinder vs Iris-T
The AIM-9 Sidewinder and the Iris-T are both Air-to-Air missiles. Range is 17 km for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 25 km for the Iris-T. The AIM-9 Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the Iris-T. The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a 10.2 kg warhead vs 11.5 kg for the Iris-T. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 87 kg for the Iris-T. The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance, while the Iris-T relies on Imaging infrared homing. The AIM-9 Sidewinder has been produced in 110,000 units vs 5,000 for the Iris-T. Unit cost is $0.4M for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs $0.47M for the Iris-T. The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 49 years before the Iris-T (1956 vs 2005).
| 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 |
| German air-to-air missile, entered service in 2005, uses imaging infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Diehl BGT |
| Service year | 2005 |
| Number produced | 5,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 million |
| Range | 17.0 km â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 â—‰ |
| Weight | 85 kg â—‰ |
| Warhead | 10.2 kg â—‰ |
| Length | 2.85 m â—‰ |
| Diameter | 127 mm â—‰ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing focal plane array |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 25.0 km â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 â—‰ |
| Weight | 87 kg â—‰ |
| Warhead | 11.5 kg â—‰ |
| Length | 2.94 m â—‰ |
| Diameter | 127 mm â—‰ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive / Fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Iris-T?
The Iris-T has a longer range at 25 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Iris-T?
The Iris-T is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Iris-T?
The Iris-T carries a larger warhead at 11 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Iris-T?
The Iris-T is heavier at 87 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Iris-T?
The Iris-T is longer at 2.94 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-9 Sidewinder and Iris-T use?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance while the Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Iris-T?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 49 years before the Iris-T which entered service in 2005.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Iris-T?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder has been produced in greater numbers with 110,000 units compared to 5,000 units of the Iris-T.