Crotale vs MIM-23 Hawk
The Crotale and the MIM-23 Hawk are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The MIM-23 Hawk has a range of 40 km — 2.7x the Crotale's 15 km. The Crotale reaches 4,284 km/h vs 2,964 km/h for the MIM-23 Hawk. The Crotale carries a 13 kg warhead vs 136 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk. Launch weight is 95 kg for the Crotale vs 626 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk. The Crotale uses Radar et infrarouge guidance, while the MIM-23 Hawk relies on Semi-active radar homing. The Crotale has been produced in 6,600 units vs 40,000 for the MIM-23 Hawk. The MIM-23 Hawk entered service 11 years before the Crotale (1960 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 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 | 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 | 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 Crotale or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk has a longer range at 40 km compared to the Crotale's 15 km.
Which is faster, the Crotale or MIM-23 Hawk?
The Crotale is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.5 compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's Mach 2.4.
Which has a larger warhead, the Crotale or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk carries a larger warhead at 136 kg compared to the Crotale's 13 kg.
Which is heavier, the Crotale or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk is heavier at 626 kg compared to the Crotale's 95 kg.
Which is longer, the Crotale or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk is longer at 5.12 meters compared to the Crotale's 2.34 meters.
What guidance systems do the Crotale and MIM-23 Hawk use?
The Crotale uses Radar et infrarouge guidance while the MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Crotale or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk entered service first in 1960, 11 years before the Crotale which entered service in 1971.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Crotale or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk has been produced in greater numbers with 40,000 units compared to 6,600 units of the Crotale.