RIM-7 Sea Sparrow vs S-300PMU
Overview
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and the S-300PMU are both Surface-to-Air missiles.
The S-300PMU has a range of 150 km — 7.9x the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 19 km. The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow reaches 4,256 km/h vs 11,185 km/h for the S-300PMU. The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow carries a 40 kg warhead vs 145 kg for the S-300PMU. Launch weight is 228 kg for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow vs 1,800 kg for the S-300PMU. The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the S-300PMU relies on Active Radar Homing.
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow entered service 2 years before the S-300PMU (1976 vs 1978).
| 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 |
| Russian surface-to-air missile, entering service in 1978, uses active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | High altitude radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | MZiK |
| Service year | 1978 |
| Number produced | 28,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| 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 |
| Range | 150.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 9.1 ◉ |
| Weight | 1,800 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 145.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 7.50 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 450 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Active Radar Homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow or S-300PMU?
The S-300PMU has a longer range at 150 km compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 19 km.
Which is faster, the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow or S-300PMU?
The S-300PMU is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 9.1 compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's Mach 3.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow or S-300PMU?
The S-300PMU carries a larger warhead at 145 kg compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 40 kg.
Which is heavier, the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow or S-300PMU?
The S-300PMU is heavier at 1,800 kg compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 228 kg.
Which is longer, the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow or S-300PMU?
The S-300PMU is longer at 7.50 meters compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow's 3.98 meters.
What guidance systems do the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and S-300PMU use?
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the S-300PMU uses Active Radar Homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow or S-300PMU?
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow entered service first in 1976, 2 years before the S-300PMU which entered service in 1978.