AIM-9 Sidewinder vs K-100
Overview
The AIM-9 Sidewinder and the K-100 are both Air-to-Air missiles.
The K-100 has a range of 400 km — 24:1 the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km. The AIM-9 Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,000 km/h for the K-100. The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a 10.2 kg warhead vs 50 kg for the K-100. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 750 kg for the K-100. The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance, while the K-100 relies on Inertial navigation, Active radar homing.
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 69 years before the K-100 (1956 vs 2025).
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1956, uses infrared homing to track its target. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1956 |
| Number produced | 110,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.4 million |
| Indian/Russian air-to-air missile, with 400 km range, slated for service in 2025. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇳 India, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Novator/DRDO |
| Service year | 2025 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Range | 17.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 85 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 10.2 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.85 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing focal plane array |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 400.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.3 ◉ |
| Weight | 750 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 50.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 6.00 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 400 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial navigation, Active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive / Fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or K-100?
The K-100 has a longer range at 400 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or K-100?
The K-100 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.3 compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or K-100?
The K-100 carries a larger warhead at 50 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or K-100?
The K-100 is heavier at 750 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or K-100?
The K-100 is longer at 6.00 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-9 Sidewinder and K-100 use?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance while the K-100 uses Inertial navigation, Active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or K-100?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 69 years before the K-100 which entered service in 2025.