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AIM-7DSparrowIII

Medium-Range AAM (MRAAM / BVR) · United States · 1959
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AIM-7DSparrowIII

* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Range
40
Seeker / Guidance
50
No-Escape Zone
45
Speed
55
Counter-Measure Resistance
30
Lethality
60
Data-Link
0
Reliability
70
Technology
50
Cost-Effectiveness
65
Origin United States
ManufacturerRaytheon
CategoryMedium-Range AAM (MRAAM / BVR)
EraEarly Cold War
In service1959
Operators24 countries
Data Quality88%
45
Medium-Range AAM (MRAAM / BVR) MASS Rating
2/22
Early Cold War
35/73
All-Time
Medium-Range AAM (MRAAM / BVR) · 10 axes scored
Range
40
Seeker / Guidance
50
No-Escape Zone
45
Speed
55
Counter-Measure Resistance
30
Lethality
60
Data-Link
0
Reliability
70
Technology
50
Cost-Effectiveness
65
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the medium-range aam (mraam / bvr) category.
01 / Overview
AIM-7D Sparrow III
Prime contractor
Production
1959–
Unit Price (current)
$125.0K
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MEDIUM-RANGE AAM (MRAAM / BVR) · EARLY COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
70
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$125.0K
Inflation: +%0
45
medium-range aam (mraam / bvr) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the medium-range aam (mraam / bvr) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General7MOD.7
  • Missile Typeair-to-air missile
  • Service Entry Year1958
  • DesignerRaytheon
  • Length3.66 m
  • Diameter203 mm
  • Launch Weight172 kg
  • In ServiceYes
▣Propulsion5MOD.5
  • Propulsion Typesolid rocket
  • Motor TypeRocketdyne MK 38/MK 52
  • Boost StageYes
  • Two-StageNo
  • Fuel / Propellantsolid propellant
◇Performance7MOD.7
  • Minimum Range11 km
  • Maximum Range44 km
  • Top Speed1,360 m/s
  • Top Speed (Mach)4 Mach
  • Flight Profilesemi-active radar homing, trajectory shaping
  • Maximum G30
  • HypersonicNo
◆Warhead5MOD.5
▤Launch Platform6MOD.6
  • Launch PlatformAircraft: 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, Panavia Tornado, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Mitsubishi F-2
  • Air-LaunchedYes
  • Ground-LaunchedNo
  • Naval-LaunchedYes
  • Man-PortableNo
  • Launcher TypeAIM-7 Sparrow launcher
⬢Production4MOD.4
  • Unit Cost125,000 USD
  • Operators21
  • Variants1
  • Production Start1,959 year
▲Warhead Detail3MOD.3
  • Detonation Mechanism / Fuzeproximity fuze
  • Explosive Filler Weight13.6 kg
  • Explosive Filler Typehigh explosive
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1959Production started
67
years in service
2
countries operating
ⓘ 22 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
📖 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.
Launched from naval platforms, such as ships or submarines.
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 guidance method where a missile uses radar reflections from an external illuminator, typically a ground or airborne radar, to track and intercept a target.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Medium-Range AAM (MRAAM / BVR) entry →