Data Quality88%
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
AIM-7D Sparrow III
Category
Country
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
ⓘ 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
◈Guidance8MOD.8
- Guidance TypeSemi-Active Radar
- Seeker Typesemi-active radar homing
- Fire-and-ForgetNo
- Two-Way DatalinkNo
- Top-Attack CapableNo
- Imaging Infrared SeekerNo
- Inertial / GPS GuidanceNo
- Sea-SkimmingNo
▣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
- Warhead Typeblast-fragmentation
- Warhead Weight30 kg
- Tandem HEAT ChargeNo
- Proximity FuzeYes
- Nuclear-CapableNo
▤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
- 1959Production started
67
years in service
2
countries operating
ⓘ 22 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries24country
05 / MASS Score
MEDIUM-RANGE AAM (MRAAM / BVR) RANKING Medium-Range AAM (MRAAM / BVR) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
35MEDIUM-RANGE AAM (MRAAM / BVR)2EARLY COLD WAR · MEDIUM-RANGE AAM (MRAAM / BVR)1952UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS7PRICE · MEDIUM-RANGE AAM (MRAAM / BVR)616PRICE · ALL WEAPONS34PERFORMANCE/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.
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