AIM-9X Sidewinder vs ASTRA
The AIM-9X Sidewinder and the ASTRA are both Air-to-Air missiles. The ASTRA has a range of 340 km — 9.7x the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 35 km. The AIM-9X Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 5,513 km/h for the ASTRA. The AIM-9X Sidewinder carries a 9 kg warhead vs 15 kg for the ASTRA. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9X Sidewinder vs 154 kg for the ASTRA. The AIM-9X Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing guidance, while the ASTRA relies on Mid-course FOG-INS, terminal ARH. Unit cost is $0.4M for the AIM-9X Sidewinder vs $0.95M for the ASTRA. The AIM-9X Sidewinder entered service 63 years before the ASTRA (1956 vs 2019).
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1956, utilizes imaging infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Short-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon Company |
| Service year | 1956 |
| Number produced | 110,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.4 million |
| Indian air-to-air missile, entered service in 2019, with a range of 340 km. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇳 India |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Bharat Dynamics Limited |
| Service year | 2019 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $1.0 million |
| Range | 35.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 85 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 9.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.02 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | Annular blast-fragmentation |
| Range | 340.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 154 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 15.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.84 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 200 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Mid-course FOG-INS, terminal ARH |
| Warhead type | High-explosive pre-fragmented |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-9X Sidewinder or ASTRA?
The ASTRA has a longer range at 340 km compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 35 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9X Sidewinder or ASTRA?
The ASTRA is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-9X Sidewinder or ASTRA?
The ASTRA carries a larger warhead at 15 kg compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 9 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-9X Sidewinder or ASTRA?
The ASTRA is heavier at 154 kg compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9X Sidewinder or ASTRA?
The ASTRA is longer at 3.84 meters compared to the AIM-9X Sidewinder's 3.02 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-9X Sidewinder and ASTRA use?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing guidance while the ASTRA uses Mid-course FOG-INS, terminal ARH guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9X Sidewinder or ASTRA?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 63 years before the ASTRA which entered service in 2019.