Akash vs RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
Overview
The Akash and the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow are both Surface-to-Air missiles.
The Akash has a range of 45 km — 2.4x the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 19 km. The Akash reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,256 km/h for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. The Akash carries a 60 kg warhead vs 40 kg for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. Launch weight is 720 kg for the Akash vs 228 kg for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance, while the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing.
Unit cost is $0.5M for the Akash vs $0.1654M for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow entered service 33 years before the Akash (1976 vs 2009).
| Indian surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2009, utilizes active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇳 India |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Bharat Dynamics Limited |
| Service year | 2009 |
| Number produced | 15,500 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 million |
| American surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1976, uses semi-active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1976 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.2 million |
| Range | 45.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 720 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 60.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 5.78 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 350 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High-explosive fragmentation |
| Range | 19.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 228 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 40.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.98 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Akash or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The Akash has a longer range at 45 km compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 19 km.
Which is faster, the Akash or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.5 compared to the Akash's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the Akash or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The Akash carries a larger warhead at 60 kg compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 40 kg.
Which is heavier, the Akash or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The Akash is heavier at 720 kg compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 228 kg.
Which is longer, the Akash or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The Akash is longer at 5.78 meters compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 3.98 meters.
What guidance systems do the Akash and RIM-7 Sea Sparrow use?
The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance while the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Akash or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow entered service first in 1976, 33 years before the Akash which entered service in 2009.