Iron Dome vs MIM-14 Nike Hercules
The Iron Dome and the MIM-14 Nike Hercules are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has a range of 140 km — 2.0x the Iron Dome's 70 km. The Iron Dome reaches 2,717 km/h vs 4,900 km/h for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The Iron Dome carries a 11 kg warhead vs 500 kg for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. Launch weight is 90 kg for the Iron Dome vs 4,850 kg for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The Iron Dome uses Electro-optic sensors guidance, while the MIM-14 Nike Hercules relies on Command guidance. Unit cost is $0.15M for the Iron Dome vs $3M for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service 53 years before the Iron Dome (1958 vs 2011).
| Israeli surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2011, uses electro-optic sensors for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | C-RAM and Short Range Air Defence System |
| Manufacturer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Service year | 2011 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.2 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 | 70.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.2 ◉ |
| Weight | 90 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.00 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Electro-optic sensors |
| Warhead type | Proximity fuze |
| 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 Iron Dome or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has a longer range at 140 km compared to the Iron Dome's 70 km.
Which is faster, the Iron Dome or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the Iron Dome's Mach 2.2.
Which has a larger warhead, the Iron Dome or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules carries a larger warhead at 500 kg compared to the Iron Dome's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the Iron Dome or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is heavier at 4,850 kg compared to the Iron Dome's 90 kg.
Which is longer, the Iron Dome or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is longer at 12.53 meters compared to the Iron Dome's 3.00 meters.
What guidance systems do the Iron Dome and MIM-14 Nike Hercules use?
The Iron Dome uses Electro-optic sensors guidance while the MIM-14 Nike Hercules uses Command guidance guidance.
Which entered service first, the Iron Dome or MIM-14 Nike Hercules?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service first in 1958, 53 years before the Iron Dome which entered service in 2011.