Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the short-range aam (sraam / wvr) category.
01 / Overview
AIM-9D Sidewinder
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1958–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR) · EARLY COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
57
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the short-range aam (sraam / wvr) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General8MOD.8
- Missile TypeShort-range air-to-air missile
- Service Entry Year1959
- DesignerWilliam B. McLean
- Length2.79 m
- Diameter127 mm
- Wingspan / Fin Span0.5 mm
- Launch Weight85 kg
- In ServiceNo
◈Guidance8MOD.8
- Guidance TypeInfrared
- Seeker TypeInfrared homing
- Fire-and-ForgetYes
- Two-Way DatalinkNo
- Top-Attack CapableNo
- Imaging Infrared SeekerNo
- Inertial / GPS GuidanceNo
- Sea-SkimmingNo
▣Propulsion5MOD.5
- Propulsion Typesolid-fuel rocket
- Motor Typesolid rocket motor
- Boost StageNo
- Two-StageNo
- Fuel / Propellantsolid propellant
◇Performance7MOD.7
- Minimum Range0.5 km
- Maximum Range11 km
- Top Speed3,060 m/s
- Top Speed (Mach)2.5 Mach
- Flight Profiletail‑chase, later all‑aspect
- Maximum G30
- HypersonicNo
◆Warhead5MOD.5
- Warhead Typeannular blast‑fragmentation
- Warhead Weight9.4 kg
- Tandem HEAT ChargeNo
- Proximity FuzeYes
- Nuclear-CapableNo
▤Launch Platform6MOD.6
- Launch PlatformAircraft, naval vessels, ground launchers
- Air-LaunchedYes
- Ground-LaunchedNo
- Naval-LaunchedNo
- Man-PortableNo
- Launcher Typerail launch
⬢Production1MOD.1
- Production Start1,958 year
▲Warhead Detail2MOD.2
- Detonation Mechanism / Fuzeinfrared proximity fuze
- Explosive Filler Typecontinuous‑rod
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1958Production started
68
years in service
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 7 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries7country
05 / MASS Score
SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR) RANKING Short-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
8SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR)1EARLY COLD WAR · SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR)740UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS13PERFORMANCE/PRICE · SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR)
ⓘ Rankings are within theShort-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
Capability of launching an anti-tank guided missile from an airborne platform, such as a helicopter or aircraft.
Fire-and-forget refers to a missile guidance system where the missile guides itself to its target after launch, requiring no further input from the operator.
Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light, used in missile guidance systems to detect and track targets based on heat signatures.
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.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources