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AIM-9MSidewinder

Short-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR) · United States · 1982
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AIM-9MSidewinder

AIM-9M Sidewinder
AIM-9M Sidewinder Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Agility / Off-Boresight
85
Seeker Performance
75
Range
60
Counter-Measure Resistance
70
Speed
70
Lethality
80
Reliability
90
HMS Integration
85
Technology
75
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin United States
CategoryShort-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR)
EraCold War
In service1982
Operators59 countries
Quantity110,000
Data Quality87%
77
Short-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR) MASS Rating
1/4
Cold War
6/14
All-Time
Short-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR) · 10 axes scored
Agility / Off-Boresight
85
Seeker Performance
75
Range
60
Counter-Measure Resistance
70
Speed
70
Lethality
80
Reliability
90
HMS Integration
85
Technology
75
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the short-range aam (sraam / wvr) category.
01 / Overview
AIM-9M Sidewinder
Production
1982–
Quantity
110,000
Unit Price (current)
$479.9K↗ 26% inflation · 2019→2025
Original Price
$381.1K (2019)
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR) · COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$479.9K
Original: $381.1K (2019)
Inflation: +%26
77
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 Year1977
  • DesignerWilliam B. McLean
  • Length2.79 m
  • Diameter127 mm
  • Wingspan / Fin Span0.66 mm
  • Launch Weight0.085 kg
  • In ServiceYes
▣Propulsion5MOD.5
  • Propulsion TypeSolid-fuel rocket
  • Motor TypeSolid rocket motor
  • Boost StageNo
  • Two-StageNo
  • Fuel / PropellantSolid propellant
◇Performance7MOD.7
  • Minimum Range0.6 km
  • Maximum Range22 km
  • Top Speed2,600 m/s
  • Top Speed (Mach)2.5 Mach
  • Flight ProfileTail-chase, later all-aspect
  • Maximum G22
  • HypersonicNo
◆Warhead5MOD.5
▤Launch Platform6MOD.6
⬢Production5MOD.5
  • Total Production110,000
  • Unit Cost381,069 USD
  • Operators30
  • Variants20
  • Production Start1,972 year
▲Warhead Detail3MOD.3
  • Detonation Mechanism / FuzeInfrared proximity fuze
  • Explosive Filler Weight9.4 kg
  • Explosive Filler TypeContinuous-rod
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1982Production started
  2. 1983Entered service
44
years in service
110,000
units produced
50
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 9 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 →