AIM-7 Sparrow
Raytheon · Air-to-Air · USA · Early Jet (1946–1969)
The AIM-7 Sparrow is an American medium-range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile operated by the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and various other air forces and navies. Sparrow and its derivatives were the West's principal beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile from the late 1950s until the 1990s. It remains in service, although it is being phased out in aviation applications in favor of the more advanced AIM-120 AMRAAM. Since 2023, the AIM-7 and its RIM-7 variant have seen major operational use in Ukraine, where they have been adapted for use in improvised ground-based air defense systems to intercept cruise missiles and loitering munitions.
Specifications
- Category
- Missiles
- Sub-Category
- AAM
- Domain
- Defence
- Era
- Early Jet (1946–1969)
- Country
- USA
- Manufacturer
- Raytheon
- Co-Manufacturer
- General Dynamics
- Operator
- USA/NATO/Japan/others
- Primary Role
- Air-to-Air
- Status
- In Service
- Service Entry
- 1956
- Produced
- 70000
- Unit Cost (2026$)
- $200K
- Propulsion
- Rocket
- Engine
- Hercules MK 58 solid-fuel rocket
- Thrust / Power
- 12,000 lbf
- Launch
- Air-launched
- Length (ft)
- 12
- Wingspan (ft)
- 3.3
- Empty Weight (lb)
- 200
- MTOW (lb)
- 510
- Payload (lb)
- 88
- Endurance (hr)
- 0.03
- Service Ceiling (ft)
- 65000
- Range (mi)
- 50
- Max Speed (mph)
- 1918
- Max Speed (Mach)
- 2.5
- Armament
- Continuous rod warhead