Aster 15 / 30 vs MIM-23 Hawk
The Aster 15 / 30 and the MIM-23 Hawk are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Aster 15 / 30 has a range of 120 km — 3.0x the MIM-23 Hawk's 40 km. The Aster 15 / 30 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 2,964 km/h for the MIM-23 Hawk. The Aster 15 / 30 carries a 15 kg warhead vs 136 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk. Launch weight is 510 kg for the Aster 15 / 30 vs 626 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk. The Aster 15 / 30 uses Inertial guidance with up-link and active RF seeker guidance, while the MIM-23 Hawk relies on Semi-active radar homing. The MIM-23 Hawk entered service 41 years before the Aster 15 / 30 (1960 vs 2001).
| French surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2001, using inertial guidance with active RF seeker. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Euromissile |
| Service year | 2001 |
| 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 | 120.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 510 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 15.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.20 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 180 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial guidance with up-link and active RF seeker |
| 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 Aster 15 / 30 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The Aster 15 / 30 has a longer range at 120 km compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 40 km.
Which is faster, the Aster 15 / 30 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The Aster 15 / 30 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's Mach 2.4.
Which has a larger warhead, the Aster 15 / 30 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk carries a larger warhead at 136 kg compared to the Aster 15 / 30's 15 kg.
Which is heavier, the Aster 15 / 30 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk is heavier at 626 kg compared to the Aster 15 / 30's 510 kg.
Which is longer, the Aster 15 / 30 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk is longer at 5.12 meters compared to the Aster 15 / 30's 4.20 meters.
What guidance systems do the Aster 15 / 30 and MIM-23 Hawk use?
The Aster 15 / 30 uses Inertial guidance with up-link and active RF seeker guidance while the MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Aster 15 / 30 or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk entered service first in 1960, 41 years before the Aster 15 / 30 which entered service in 2001.