AIM-7 Sparrow Missile

The most common version of the Sparrow today, the AIM-7M, entered service in
1982, and featured a new inverse monopulse seeker,
active radar proximity fuse, digital controls, improved ECM resistance,
and better low-altitude performance.

Mission

The AIM-7 Sparrow is a radar-guided, air-to-air missile with a high-explosive warhead.
The versatile Sparrow has all-weather, all-altitude operational capability and can attack
high-performance aircraft and missiles from any direction. It is a widely deployed
missile used by U.S. and NATO forces.

Features

The missile has four major sections: guidance section, warhead, control and rocket
motor. It has a cylindrical body with four wings at mid-body and four tail fins. Although
external dimensions of the Sparrow remained relatively unchanged from model to model,
the internal components of newer missiles represent major improvements with vastly
increased capabilities.

Background

The AIM-7F joined the Air Force inventory in 1976 as the primary medium-range, air-to-air
missile for the F-15 Eagle.

The AIM-7M, is the only current operational version. It has improved reliability
and performance over earlier models at low altitudes and in electronic
countermeasures environments. It also has a significantly more lethal warhead. The
latest software version of the AIM-7M is the H-Build that has been produced since 1987
and incorporates additional improvements in guidance. The F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting
Falcon fighters carry the AIM-7M Sparrow. U.S. and NATO navies operate a
surface-to-air/surface version of this missile called the RIM-7F/M Sea Sparrow.

In the Persian Gulf War, the radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow proved to be a potent air-to-air
weapon used by Air Force fighter pilots. Twenty-two Iraqi fixed-wing aircraft and three
Iraqi helicopters were downed by radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow missiles.

Sparrow is now being phased out with the availability of the active-radar AIM-120
AMRAAM, but is likely to remain in service for several years.
.

General Characteristics: AIM-7 Sparrow Missile

Contractor:
* Raytheon Company

Type:
* air-to-air guided missile

Propulsion:
* Hercules MK-58 solid-propellant rocket motor

Length:
* Length 12 feet (3.64 meters)

Diameter:
8.8 inches (.20 meters)

Wingspan:
3 feet, 4 inches (1 meter) Launch Weight:
* Approximately 500 pounds (225 kilograms)

Range:
* Classified

Speed:
* Classified

Thrust:
* Classified

Guidance System:
* semi-active radar homing

Warhead:
* annular blast fragmentation warhead

Unit Cost:
* Approximately $125,000

Inventory:
* Classified

AIM-7 Sparrow Missile Tutorial Video

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