Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the medium-range aam (mraam / bvr) category.
01 / Overview
AAM-A-1 Firebird
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1947–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MEDIUM-RANGE AAM (MRAAM / BVR) · EARLY COLD WAR
21
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
45
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the medium-range aam (mraam / bvr) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Missile Typeair-to-air missile
- DesignerRyan Aeronautical Company
- Length2.134 m
- Diameter203.2 mm
- Launch Weight117.9 kg
- In ServiceNo
◈Guidance6MOD.6
- Guidance TypeCommand
- Seeker Typeactive radar homing
- Fire-and-ForgetNo
- Imaging Infrared SeekerNo
- Inertial / GPS GuidanceNo
- Sea-SkimmingNo
▣Propulsion5MOD.5
- Propulsion Typetwo-stage rocket
- Motor Typesolid-fuel booster, liquid-fuel sustainer
- Boost StageYes
- Two-StageYes
- Fuel / Propellantliquid-fuel
◇Performance5MOD.5
- Maximum Range12.87 km
- Top Speed289 m/s
- Top Speed (Mach)0.85 Mach
- Flight Profilesubsonic
- HypersonicNo
◆Warhead5MOD.5
- Warhead Typehigh explosive
- Warhead Weight40.82 kg
- Tandem HEAT ChargeNo
- Proximity FuzeYes
- Nuclear-CapableNo
▤Launch Platform5MOD.5
- Launch PlatformDB-26 Invader; DF-82 Twin Mustang
- Air-LaunchedYes
- Ground-LaunchedNo
- Naval-LaunchedNo
- Man-PortableNo
⬢Production1MOD.1
- Operators0
▲Warhead Detail3MOD.3
- Detonation Mechanism / Fuzeproximity fuze, backup impact fuze
- Explosive Filler Weight40.824 kg
- Explosive Filler TypeHigh explosive
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1947Production started
79
years in service
0
countries operating
ⓘ 1 countries retired it.
05 / MASS Score
MEDIUM-RANGE AAM (MRAAM / BVR) RANKING Medium-Range AAM (MRAAM / BVR) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
69MEDIUM-RANGE AAM (MRAAM / BVR)21EARLY COLD WAR · MEDIUM-RANGE AAM (MRAAM / BVR)2853UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS56PERFORMANCE/PRICE · MEDIUM-RANGE AAM (MRAAM / BVR)
ⓘ Rankings are within theMedium-Range AAM (MRAAM / BVR)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
Capability of launching an anti-tank guided missile from an airborne platform, such as a helicopter or aircraft.
The initial propulsion phase where a high-thrust motor accelerates the missile to operational velocity.
A guidance system where a missile receives mid-flight course corrections from an external source, such as ground control or satellite.
A proximity fuze is a detonation mechanism in ATGMs that triggers when the missile approaches within a set distance of a target, using sensors like radar or laser to detect proximity.
A two-stage ATGM propulsion system where a booster stage initially accelerates the missile before a sustainer stage maintains flight velocity.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources