AIM-9 Sidewinder vs Mica
The AIM-9 Sidewinder and the Mica are both Air-to-Air missiles. The Mica has a range of 80 km — 4.7x the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km. The AIM-9 Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,900 km/h for the Mica. The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a 10.2 kg warhead vs 12 kg for the Mica. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 112 kg for the Mica. The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance, while the Mica relies on Inertial, radar active or infrared. The AIM-9 Sidewinder has been produced in 110,000 units vs 1,110 for the Mica. Unit cost is $0.4M for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs $1.5M for the Mica. The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 69 years before the Mica (1956 vs 2025).
| 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, entering service in 2025, uses inertial, radar active, or infrared guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | MBDA |
| Service year | 2025 |
| Number produced | 1,110 units |
| Estimated unit price | $1.5 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 | 80.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 112 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 12.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.10 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial, radar active or infrared |
| Warhead type | Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Mica?
The Mica has a longer range at 80 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Mica?
The Mica 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?
The Mica 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?
The Mica is heavier at 112 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Mica?
The Mica 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 use?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance while the Mica uses Inertial, radar active or infrared guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Mica?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 69 years before the Mica which entered service in 2025.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or Mica?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder has been produced in greater numbers with 110,000 units compared to 1,110 units of the Mica.