MIM-14 Nike Hercules vs Mistral
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules and the Mistral are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has a range of 140 km — 23:1 the Mistral's 6 km. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules reaches 4,900 km/h vs 3,348 km/h for the Mistral. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules carries a 500 kg warhead vs 3 kg for the Mistral. Launch weight is 4,850 kg for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules vs 18 kg for the Mistral. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules uses Command guidance guidance, while the Mistral relies on Infrared homing. Unit cost is $3M for the MIM-14 Nike Hercules vs $0.55M for the Mistral. The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service 32 years before the Mistral (1958 vs 1990).
| 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 |
| French surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1990, uses infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Portable optical-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Matra |
| Service year | 1990 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.6 million |
| 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 | 6.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.7 ◉ |
| Weight | 18 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 3.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 1.80 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 90 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or Mistral?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules has a longer range at 140 km compared to the Mistral's 6 km.
Which is faster, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or Mistral?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the Mistral's Mach 2.7.
Which has a larger warhead, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or Mistral?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules carries a larger warhead at 500 kg compared to the Mistral's 3 kg.
Which is heavier, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or Mistral?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is heavier at 4,850 kg compared to the Mistral's 18 kg.
Which is longer, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or Mistral?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules is longer at 12.53 meters compared to the Mistral's 1.80 meters.
What guidance systems do the MIM-14 Nike Hercules and Mistral use?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules uses Command guidance guidance while the Mistral uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the MIM-14 Nike Hercules or Mistral?
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules entered service first in 1958, 32 years before the Mistral which entered service in 1990.