AIM-9 Sidewinder vs MICA NG
Overview
The AIM-9 Sidewinder and the MICA NG are both Air-to-Air missiles.
The MICA NG has a range of 112 km — 6.6x the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km. The AIM-9 Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the MICA NG. The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a 10.2 kg warhead vs 12 kg for the MICA NG. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 112 kg for the MICA NG. The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance, while the MICA NG relies on Inertial, Datalink, Active Radar or Infrared Homing.
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 40 years before the MICA NG (1956 vs 1996).
| 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 |
| French air-to-air missile, entered service in 1996, uses active radar or infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile |
| Manufacturer | MBDA France |
| Service year | 1996 |
| 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 | 112.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 112 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 12.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.10 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial, Datalink, Active Radar or Infrared Homing |
| Warhead type | High-explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or MICA NG?
The MICA NG has a longer range at 112 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or MICA NG?
The MICA NG 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 MICA NG?
The MICA NG carries a larger warhead at 12 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or MICA NG?
The MICA NG is heavier at 112 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or MICA NG?
The MICA NG 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 MICA NG use?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance while the MICA NG uses Inertial, Datalink, Active Radar or Infrared Homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or MICA NG?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 40 years before the MICA NG which entered service in 1996.