IRIS-T SLM vs MIM-14 Nike Hercules
The IRIS-T SLM and the MIM-14 Nike Hercules are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has a range of 140 km — 3.5x the IRIS-T SLM's 40 km. The IRIS-T SLM reaches 3,600 km/h vs 4,900 km/h for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The IRIS-T SLM carries a 11 kg warhead vs 500 kg for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. Launch weight is 130 kg for the IRIS-T SLM vs 4,850 kg for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The IRIS-T SLM uses Combined radar and infrared guidance guidance, while the MIM-14 Nike Hercules relies on Command guidance. Unit cost is $0.63M for the IRIS-T SLM vs $3M for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service 62 years before the IRIS-T SLM (1958 vs 2020).
| German surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2020, uses combined radar and infrared guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Diehl Defence |
| Service year | 2020 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.6 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 | 40.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.9 ◉ |
| Weight | 130 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.45 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 152 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Combined radar and infrared guidance |
| Warhead type | Dual-layer HE/fragmentation |
| 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 IRIS-T SLM or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has a longer range at 140 km compared to the IRIS-T SLM's 40 km.
Which is faster, the IRIS-T SLM or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the IRIS-T SLM's Mach 2.9.
Which has a larger warhead, the IRIS-T SLM or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules carries a larger warhead at 500 kg compared to the IRIS-T SLM's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the IRIS-T SLM or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is heavier at 4,850 kg compared to the IRIS-T SLM's 130 kg.
Which is longer, the IRIS-T SLM or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is longer at 12.53 meters compared to the IRIS-T SLM's 3.45 meters.
What guidance systems do the IRIS-T SLM and MIM-14 Nike Hercules use?
The IRIS-T SLM uses Combined radar and infrared guidance guidance while the MIM-14 Nike Hercules uses Command guidance guidance.
Which entered service first, the IRIS-T SLM or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service first in 1958, 62 years before the IRIS-T SLM which entered service in 2020.