MIM-14 Nike Hercules vs MIM-23 Hawk
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules and the MIM-23 Hawk are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has a range of 140 km — 3.5x the MIM-23 Hawk's 40 km. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules reaches 4,900 km/h vs 2,964 km/h for the MIM-23 Hawk. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules carries a 500 kg warhead vs 136 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk. Launch weight is 4,850 kg for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules vs 626 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules uses Command guidance guidance, while the MIM-23 Hawk relies on Semi-active radar homing. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has been produced in 25,000 units vs 40,000 for the MIM-23 Hawk. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service 2 years before the MIM-23 Hawk (1958 vs 1960).
| 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 |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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-14 Nike Hercules or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has a longer range at 140 km compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 40 km.
Which is faster, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's Mach 2.4.
Which has a larger warhead, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules carries a larger warhead at 500 kg compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 136 kg.
Which is heavier, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is heavier at 4,850 kg compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 626 kg.
Which is longer, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is longer at 12.53 meters compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's 5.12 meters.
What guidance systems do the MIM-14 Nike Hercules and MIM-23 Hawk use?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules uses Command guidance guidance while the MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service first in 1958, 2 years before the MIM-23 Hawk which entered service in 1960.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or MIM-23 Hawk?
The MIM-23 Hawk has been produced in greater numbers with 40,000 units compared to 25,000 units of the MIM-14 Nike Hercules.