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At a glance
AIM-7 Sparrowlarger figure on 3 of 3
Python (missile)larger figure on 0 of 3
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Length
Single source12 ft (3.7 m)[source]
Length
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | AIM-7 Sparrow | Python (missile) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | AIM-7A/B: Mach 2.5 AIM-7C/E/F: Mach 4[source] | Mach 4[source] |
| Type | Medium-range, semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile[source] | Short-range air-to-air missile[source] |
| Place of origin | United States[source] | Israel[source] |
| In service | 1958–present[source] | — |
3.1 metres (10 feet )[source]
Operational; AIM-7C
Single sourceOperational; AIM-7D
Single sourceOperational; AIM-7E/E2
Single sourceOperational; AIM-7F/M/P
Single sourceAIM-7C: 26 km (14 nmi) AIM-7D: 44 km (24 nmi) AIM-7E/E2: 50 km (27 nmi) AIM-7F/M/P: 70 km (38 nmi)[source]
Operational; >
Single source>20 kilometres (12 miles )[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Used by |
|---|
Australia, Canada, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States[source] |
See operators[source] |
| Wars | Vietnam War Iran–Iraq War Gulf War Russo-Ukrainian War[source] | Yom Kippur War Falklands War 1982 Lebanon War 2006 Lebanon War[source] |
|---|
| Unit cost | $125,000[source] | Shafrir series: Shafrir-1: US$20,000[source] |
|---|
| Produced | AIM-7D: 1959 AIM-7F: 1976 AIM-7M: 1982[source] | Shafrir series: 1961–1983 Python series: 1980–present[source] |
|---|
| No. built | >70,000[source] | — |
|---|
| Variants | Sparrow I: AIM-7A Sparrow II: AIM-7B Sparrow III: AIM-7C, AIM-7D, AIM-7E, AIM-7E2/ Skyflash / Aspide , AIM-7F, AIM-7M, AIM-7P, RIM-7M, AGM-45[source] | — |
|---|
| Warhead | High explosive blast-fragmentation AIM-7C/D/E: 65 pounds (29 kg) AIM-7F/M: 88 pounds (40 kg)[source] | 11 kg (24 lb 4 oz)[source] |
|---|
| Engine | AIM-7A/B/C – Aerojet 1.8KS7800 solid rocket AIM-7D/E – Rocketdyne MK 38/MK 52 solid rocket AIM-7F/M/P – Hercules MK-58 solid-propellant rocket motor[source] | solid fuel rocket motor[source] |
|---|
| Guidance system | semi-active radar homing[source] | infrared homing + 320×240 pixel dual waveband electro-optical imaging seeker, lock on after launch, with infrared counter-counter-measures (IRCCM)[source] |
|---|
| Launch platform | Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Grumman F-14 Tomcat F/A-18 Hornet JA-37 Viggen F-104S Starfighter Tornado F.3 ADV F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Mitsubishi F-2[source] | Aircraft: BAE Sea Harrier CASA C-101 Aviojet F-4E Kurnass 2000 F-5E/F Tiger-II McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Dassault Mirage III Dassault Mirage 5 Dassault Mirage 2000 Eurofighter Typhoon IAI Nesher/Dagger/Finder IAI Kfir HAL Tejas KAI T-50 Golden Eagle Leonardo M-346FA Master Saab JAS 39 Gripen Sukhoi Su-30MKI Su-25KM Scorpion[source] |
|---|
| Manufacturer | Raytheon[source] | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems[source] |
|---|
| Detonation mechanism | — | proximity[source] |
|---|
| Flight altitude | — | N/A[source] |
|---|
| Reported operators |
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