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RIM-7M Sea Sparrow

RIM-7M Sea Sparrow

RIM-7 is a highly maneuverable air-to-air missile with surface-to-air capability.
The Navy's RIM-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 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 U.S. and NATO forces. The Sea Sparrow is found aboard many U.S. and NATO surface warships.
Originally developed by Sperry and the U.S. Navy, Sparrow's later versions were developed and produced by Raytheon Co. and General Dynamics. Subsequent versions were dubbed the "dog-fight modification" because its increased maneuverability at short range made it better suited for close-in visual engagements.

General characteristics
Primary function	Air-to-air and surface-to-air radar-guided missile
Contractors	Raytheon Co. and General Dynamics
Power plant	Hercules MK-58 solid-propellant rocket motor
Thrust	Classified
Speed	More than 2,660 mph	4,256 km/h
Range	More than 35 miles	55 km
Length	12 ft	3.64 m
Diameter	8 in	20.3 cm
Wingspan	3 ft 4 in	1 m
Warhead	Annular blast fragmentation, 90 lb	40.5 kg
Launch weight	Approximately 500 lb	225 kg
Guidance system	Raytheon semi-active on continuous wave or pulsed Doppler radar energy
Date deployed	1976
Unit cost	$165,400
Inventory	Classified
Aircraft Platforms	Navy: F-14 and F/A-18; Air Force: F-4, F-15, and F-16; Marine Corps: F-4 and F/A-18

Jirka Wagner

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Last updated 01.10.2008