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AIM-9D Sidewinder
Photo: U.S. Navy · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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AIM-9DSidewinder

Short-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR) · United States · 1958
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AIM-9DSidewinder

AIM-9D Sidewinder
AIM-9D Sidewinder Photo: U.S. Navy · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Agility / Off-Boresight
75
Seeker Performance
70
Range
60
Counter-Measure Resistance
65
Speed
70
Lethality
80
Reliability
90
HMS Integration
50
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
95
Origin United States
ManufacturerFord Aerospace
CategoryShort-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR)
EraEarly Cold War
In service1958
Operators7 countries
Data Quality88%
71
Short-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR) MASS Rating
1/3
Early Cold War
8/14
All-Time
Short-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR) · 10 axes scored
Agility / Off-Boresight
75
Seeker Performance
70
Range
60
Counter-Measure Resistance
65
Speed
70
Lethality
80
Reliability
90
HMS Integration
50
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
95
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the short-range aam (sraam / wvr) category.
01 / Overview
AIM-9D Sidewinder
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)
—
71
short-range aam (sraam / wvr) category
ⓘ 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
▣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
▤Launch Platform6MOD.6
⬢Production1MOD.1
  • Production Start1,958 year
▲Warhead Detail2MOD.2
  • Detonation Mechanism / Fuzeinfrared proximity fuze
  • Explosive Filler Typecontinuous‑rod
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1958Production started
68
years in service
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 7 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
📖 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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Short-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR) entry →