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At a glance
AIM-9X Sidewinderlarger figure on 0 of 4
Python (missile)larger figure on 4 of 4
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Length
Single source9 feet 11 inches (3.02 m)[source]
Length
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | AIM-9X Sidewinder | Python (missile) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Mach 2.5+[source] | Mach 4[source] |
| Type | short-range air-to-air missile[source] | Short-range air-to-air missile[source] |
| Place of origin | United States[source] | Israel[source] |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon[source] |
3.1 metres (10 feet )[source]
Warhead weight
Single source20.8 lb (9.4 kg)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems[source]
| Status | Its latest variants (AIM-9X) remain standard equipment in most Western-aligned air forces.[source] | — |
|---|
| Operators | USAF (the lead platform was the F-15C ) and the USN (the lead platform was the F/A-18C )[source] | — |
|---|
| Introduction | November 2003[source] | — |
|---|
| Guidance system | imaging infrared 128×128 element focal-plane array (FPA) seeker[source] | infrared homing + 320×240 pixel dual waveband electro-optical imaging seeker, lock on after launch, with infrared counter-counter-measures (IRCCM)[source] |
|---|
| Flight control | two-axis thrust-vectoring control (TVC) system[source] | — |
|---|
| Propulsion and warhead configuration | It retains the same rocket motor, fuze and warhead of the AIM-9M[source] | — |
|---|
| Cooling | internal cooling system[source] | — |
|---|
| In service | 1956–present[source] | — |
|---|
| Used by | See Operators[source] | See operators[source] |
|---|
| Wars | Second Taiwan Strait Crisis Vietnam War Yom Kippur War Iran–Iraq War Gulf of Sidra incident (1981) Falklands War 1982 Lebanon War 1989 air battle near Tobruk Gulf War Bosnian War Operation Allied Force 2023 Chinese balloon incident Gaza war Red Sea crisis Russian invasion of Ukraine 2026 Iran War[source] | Yom Kippur War Falklands War 1982 Lebanon War 2006 Lebanon War[source] |
|---|
| Unit cost | US$381,069.74 (Block II) US$399,500.00 (Block II Plus) US$209,492.75 (training missile) (All as of 2019 )[source] | Shafrir series: Shafrir-1: US$20,000[source] |
|---|
| Produced | 1953–present[source] | Shafrir series: 1961–1983 Python series: 1980–present[source] |
|---|
| Warhead | WDU-17/B annular blast-fragmentation[source] | 11 kg (24 lb 4 oz)[source] |
|---|
| Detonation mechanism | IR proximity fuze[source] | proximity[source] |
|---|
| Engine | Hercules/Bermite Mk. 36 solid-fuel rocket[source] | solid fuel rocket motor[source] |
|---|
| Launch platform | Aircraft, naval vessels, fixed launchers, and ground vehicles[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] |
|---|
| Flight altitude | — | N/A[source] |
|---|
| Reported operators |
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