Kh-59 vs MIM-14 Nike Hercules
The Kh-59 and the MIM-14 Nike Hercules are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Kh-59 has a range of 290 km — 2.1x the MIM-14 Nike Hercules's 140 km. The Kh-59 reaches 980 km/h vs 4,900 km/h for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The Kh-59 carries a 320 kg warhead vs 500 kg for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. Launch weight is 930 kg for the Kh-59 vs 4,850 kg for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The Kh-59 uses Inertial, TV, active radar homing guidance, while the MIM-14 Nike Hercules relies on Command guidance. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service 22 years before the Kh-59 (1958 vs 1980).
| Russian air-to-surface missile, entered service in 1980, utilizing TV and active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Tactical Missiles Corporation |
| Service year | 1980 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| American surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1958, utilized command guidance to intercept targets. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Bell |
| Service year | 1958 |
| Number produced | 25,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $3 million |
| Range | 290.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 980 km/h ◉ |
| Weight | 930 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 320.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 5.85 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 420 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial, TV, active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 140.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 4,850 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 500.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 12.53 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 800 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Command guidance |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Kh-59 or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The Kh-59 has a longer range at 290 km compared to the MIM-14 Nike Hercules's 140 km.
Which is faster, the Kh-59 or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the Kh-59's 980 km/h.
Which has a larger warhead, the Kh-59 or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules carries a larger warhead at 500 kg compared to the Kh-59's 320 kg.
Which is heavier, the Kh-59 or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is heavier at 4,850 kg compared to the Kh-59's 930 kg.
Which is longer, the Kh-59 or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is longer at 12.53 meters compared to the Kh-59's 5.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the Kh-59 and MIM-14 Nike Hercules use?
The Kh-59 uses Inertial, TV, active radar homing guidance while the MIM-14 Nike Hercules uses Command guidance guidance.
Which entered service first, the Kh-59 or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service first in 1958, 22 years before the Kh-59 which entered service in 1980.