MIM-23 Hawk vs RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
Overview
The MIM-23 Hawk and the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow are both Surface-to-Air missiles.
The MIM-23 Hawk has a range of 40 km — 2.1x the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 19 km. The MIM-23 Hawk reaches 2,964 km/h vs 4,256 km/h for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. The MIM-23 Hawk carries a 136 kg warhead vs 40 kg for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. Launch weight is 626 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk vs 228 kg for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. The MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing.
The MIM-23 Hawk entered service 16 years before the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow (1960 vs 1976).
| 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 |
| American surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1976, 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 | 1976 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.2 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 | 19.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 228 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 40.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.98 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the MIM-23 Hawk or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The MIM-23 Hawk has a longer range at 40 km compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 19 km.
Which is faster, the MIM-23 Hawk or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.5 compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's Mach 2.4.
Which has a larger warhead, the MIM-23 Hawk or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The MIM-23 Hawk carries a larger warhead at 136 kg compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 40 kg.
Which is heavier, the MIM-23 Hawk or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The MIM-23 Hawk is heavier at 626 kg compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 228 kg.
Which is longer, the MIM-23 Hawk or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The MIM-23 Hawk is longer at 5.12 meters compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 3.98 meters.
What guidance systems do the MIM-23 Hawk and RIM-7 Sea Sparrow use?
The MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the MIM-23 Hawk or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The MIM-23 Hawk entered service first in 1960, 16 years before the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow which entered service in 1976.