MIM-104 Patriot vs MIM-23 Hawk

The MIM-104 Patriot and the MIM-23 Hawk are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The MIM-104 Patriot has a range of 160 km — 4.0x the MIM-23 Hawk's 40 km. The MIM-104 Patriot reaches 6,170 km/h vs 2,964 km/h for the MIM-23 Hawk. The MIM-104 Patriot carries a 90 kg warhead vs 136 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk. Launch weight is 900 kg for the MIM-104 Patriot vs 626 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk. The MIM-104 Patriot uses Dual mode (Ir homing and active radar homing) guidance, while the MIM-23 Hawk relies on Semi-active radar homing. The MIM-104 Patriot has been produced in 10,000 units vs 40,000 for the MIM-23 Hawk. The MIM-23 Hawk entered service 21 years before the MIM-104 Patriot (1960 vs 1981).

American surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1981, uses dual-mode guidance to intercept targets at Mach 5.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Surface-to-Air
Type Radar-guided surface-to-air missile
Manufacturer Raytheon
Service year 1981
Number produced 10,000 units
Estimated unit price $7 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 160.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 5.0
Weight 900 kg
Warhead 90.0 kg
Length 5.30 m
Diameter 290 mm
Guidance Dual mode (Ir homing and active radar homing)
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 MIM-104 Patriot or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-104 Patriot has a longer range at 160 km compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 40 km.
Which is faster, the MIM-104 Patriot or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-104 Patriot is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 5.0 compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's Mach 2.4.
Which has a larger warhead, the MIM-104 Patriot or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk carries a larger warhead at 136 kg compared to the MIM-104 Patriot's 90 kg.
Which is heavier, the MIM-104 Patriot or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-104 Patriot is heavier at 900 kg compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 626 kg.
Which is longer, the MIM-104 Patriot or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-104 Patriot is longer at 5.30 meters compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 5.12 meters.
What guidance systems do the MIM-104 Patriot and MIM-23 Hawk use?
The MIM-104 Patriot uses Dual mode (Ir homing and active radar homing) guidance while the MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the MIM-104 Patriot or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk entered service first in 1960, 21 years before the MIM-104 Patriot which entered service in 1981.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the MIM-104 Patriot or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk has been produced in greater numbers with 40,000 units compared to 10,000 units of the MIM-104 Patriot.