Kh-59 vs MIM-23 Hawk
The Kh-59 and the MIM-23 Hawk are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Kh-59 has a range of 290 km — 7.2x the MIM-23 Hawk's 40 km. The Kh-59 reaches 980 km/h vs 2,964 km/h for the MIM-23 Hawk. The Kh-59 carries a 320 kg warhead vs 136 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk. Launch weight is 930 kg for the Kh-59 vs 626 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk. The Kh-59 uses Inertial, TV, active radar homing guidance, while the MIM-23 Hawk relies on Semi-active radar homing. The MIM-23 Hawk entered service 20 years before the Kh-59 (1960 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 1960, 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 | 1960 |
| Number produced | 40,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| 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 | 40.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.4 ◉ |
| Weight | 626 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 136.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 5.12 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 356 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Kh-59 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The Kh-59 has a longer range at 290 km compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 40 km.
Which is faster, the Kh-59 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 2.4 compared to the Kh-59's 980 km/h.
Which has a larger warhead, the Kh-59 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The Kh-59 carries a larger warhead at 320 kg compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 136 kg.
Which is heavier, the Kh-59 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The Kh-59 is heavier at 930 kg compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 626 kg.
Which is longer, the Kh-59 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The Kh-59 is longer at 5.85 meters compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 5.12 meters.
What guidance systems do the Kh-59 and MIM-23 Hawk use?
The Kh-59 uses Inertial, TV, active radar homing guidance while the MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Kh-59 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk entered service first in 1960, 20 years before the Kh-59 which entered service in 1980.