AIM-7 SPARROW MISSILE

Services: Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.

A highly maneuverable air-to-air missile with surface-to-air capability. The Navy's
AIM-7M Sea Sparrow and the Air Force's AIM-7 Sparrow are radar-guided, air-to-air
missiles with high explosive warheads. They have a cylindrical body with four wings
at mid-body and four tail fins. The Navy also uses the Sea Sparrow version aboard
ships as a surface-to-air anti-missile defense. The versatile Sparrow has all-weather,
all-altitude operational capability and can attack high-performance aircraft and missiles
from any direction. It is widely deployed by US and NATO forces. Additionally, the
Sea Sparrow is found aboard many US and NATO surface warships.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Primary Function: Air-to-air and surface-to-air radar-guided missile.
Power Plant: Hercules MK 58 solid-propellant rocket motor.
Speed: More than 2,660 mph (4,256 kph).
Range: More than 30 nautical miles (approximately 55 km).
Length: 12 feet (3.64 meters).
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Diameter: 8 inches (20.3 cm).

Wingspan: 3 feet 4 inches (one meter).
Warhead: Annular blast fragmentation warhead, 90 pounds (40.5 kg).
Launch Weight: Approximately 500 pounds (225 kg).
Guidance System: Semi-active on continuous wave or pulsed doppler radar energy.
Aircraft Platforms:
Navy: F-14 and F/A-18
Air Force: F-15, and F-16
Marine Corps: F/A-18

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