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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