MIM-23 Hawk vs Mistral
The MIM-23 Hawk and the Mistral are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The MIM-23 Hawk has a range of 40 km — 6.7x the Mistral's 6 km. The MIM-23 Hawk reaches 2,964 km/h vs 3,348 km/h for the Mistral. The MIM-23 Hawk carries a 136 kg warhead vs 3 kg for the Mistral. Launch weight is 626 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk vs 18 kg for the Mistral. The MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the Mistral relies on Infrared homing. The MIM-23 Hawk entered service 30 years before the Mistral (1960 vs 1990).
| 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 |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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-23 Hawk or Mistral?
The MIM-23 Hawk has a longer range at 40 km compared to the Mistral's 6 km.
Which is faster, the MIM-23 Hawk or Mistral?
The Mistral is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 2.7 compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's Mach 2.4.
Which has a larger warhead, the MIM-23 Hawk or Mistral?
The MIM-23 Hawk carries a larger warhead at 136 kg compared to the Mistral's 3 kg.
Which is heavier, the MIM-23 Hawk or Mistral?
The MIM-23 Hawk is heavier at 626 kg compared to the Mistral's 18 kg.
Which is longer, the MIM-23 Hawk or Mistral?
The MIM-23 Hawk is longer at 5.12 meters compared to the Mistral's 1.80 meters.
What guidance systems do the MIM-23 Hawk and Mistral use?
The MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the Mistral uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the MIM-23 Hawk or Mistral?
The MIM-23 Hawk entered service first in 1960, 30 years before the Mistral which entered service in 1990.