Crotale vs MIM-14 Nike Hercules
The Crotale and the MIM-14 Nike Hercules are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has a range of 140 km — 9.3x the Crotale's 15 km. The Crotale reaches 4,284 km/h vs 4,900 km/h for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The Crotale carries a 13 kg warhead vs 500 kg for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. Launch weight is 95 kg for the Crotale vs 4,850 kg for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The Crotale uses Radar et infrarouge guidance, while the MIM-14 Nike Hercules relies on Command guidance. The Crotale has been produced in 6,600 units vs 25,000 for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. Unit cost is $12M for the Crotale vs $3M for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service 13 years before the Crotale (1958 vs 1971).
| French surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1971, uses radar and infrared guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Thales |
| Service year | 1971 |
| Number produced | 6,600 units |
| Estimated unit price | $12 million |
| 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 | 15.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 95 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 13.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.34 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Radar et infrarouge |
| Warhead type | Préfragmentée à gerbe focalisée |
| 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 Crotale or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has a longer range at 140 km compared to the Crotale's 15 km.
Which is faster, the Crotale or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the Crotale's Mach 3.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the Crotale or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules carries a larger warhead at 500 kg compared to the Crotale's 13 kg.
Which is heavier, the Crotale or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is heavier at 4,850 kg compared to the Crotale's 95 kg.
Which is longer, the Crotale or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is longer at 12.53 meters compared to the Crotale's 2.34 meters.
What guidance systems do the Crotale and MIM-14 Nike Hercules use?
The Crotale uses Radar et infrarouge guidance while the MIM-14 Nike Hercules uses Command guidance guidance.
Which entered service first, the Crotale or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service first in 1958, 13 years before the Crotale which entered service in 1971.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Crotale or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has been produced in greater numbers with 25,000 units compared to 6,600 units of the Crotale.