Eli5: What are the performance and strategic use differences between sidewinder missiles and sparrow missiles?
In: 3
The AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder are anti-air weapons.
The Sparrow is a medium range Air to Air or Ground to Air, passively guided radar homing missile. The weapon detects the radar echo from a target illuminated by a separate targeting radar, usually fitted in whatever vehicle launched the missile. If the targeting radar stops illuminating the target, the Sparrow loses guidance.
The Sidewinder is a short range Air to Air missile guided by infra-red homing (i.e. target’s an aircraft’s engines/exhaust plume). The targeting vehicle orients itself to bring the target into view of the missile’s seeker head. When the missile indicates it has a good lock on a target, the missile is launched and the weapon homes in on the target’s heat signature.
The Sparrow has greater range, but more stringent targeting requirements, than the Sidewinder.
The Sparrow is more useful for interceptions at a distance while the Sidewinder is more useful during close air combat (dogfights).
The AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder are anti-air weapons.
The Sparrow is a medium range Air to Air or Ground to Air, passively guided radar homing missile. The weapon detects the radar echo from a target illuminated by a separate targeting radar, usually fitted in whatever vehicle launched the missile. If the targeting radar stops illuminating the target, the Sparrow loses guidance.
The Sidewinder is a short range Air to Air missile guided by infra-red homing (i.e. target’s an aircraft’s engines/exhaust plume). The targeting vehicle orients itself to bring the target into view of the missile’s seeker head. When the missile indicates it has a good lock on a target, the missile is launched and the weapon homes in on the target’s heat signature.
The Sparrow has greater range, but more stringent targeting requirements, than the Sidewinder.
The Sparrow is more useful for interceptions at a distance while the Sidewinder is more useful during close air combat (dogfights).
The AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder are anti-air weapons.
The Sparrow is a medium range Air to Air or Ground to Air, passively guided radar homing missile. The weapon detects the radar echo from a target illuminated by a separate targeting radar, usually fitted in whatever vehicle launched the missile. If the targeting radar stops illuminating the target, the Sparrow loses guidance.
The Sidewinder is a short range Air to Air missile guided by infra-red homing (i.e. target’s an aircraft’s engines/exhaust plume). The targeting vehicle orients itself to bring the target into view of the missile’s seeker head. When the missile indicates it has a good lock on a target, the missile is launched and the weapon homes in on the target’s heat signature.
The Sparrow has greater range, but more stringent targeting requirements, than the Sidewinder.
The Sparrow is more useful for interceptions at a distance while the Sidewinder is more useful during close air combat (dogfights).
[removed]
[removed]
[removed]
Latest Answers