AIM-7C Sparrow III (AAM-N-6) American Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
AIM-7C
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Basic Information
Name
AIM-7C Sparrow III (AAM-N-6) American Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Designation
AIM-7C
Alternate Designation
—
Equipment Type
—
Manufacturer
—
Date of Introduction
1962
Description
The AIM-7 Sparrow III is an American, medium-range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile operated by the United States Air Force, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps, as well as other various air forces and navies. Sparrow and its derivatives were the West's principal beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile from the late 1950s until the 1990s. It remains in service, although it is being phased out in aviation applications in favor of the more advanced AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Variants
AAM-N-2/AIM-7A Sparrow I
This was a beam-riding missile.
AAM-N-6/AIM-7B Sparrow II
This was an active radar homing variant produced by Douglas (with Bendix-Pacific and Westinghouse).
AAM-N-6/AIM-7C Sparrow III
This was the first production version of the Sparrow III. It introduced semi-active radar homing on continuous wave radiation, allowing interception beyond visual range (BVR).
AAM-N-6A/AIM-101/AIM-7D
This was the only liquid-fueled variant. It was powered by Mk 6 Mod 3 motor by Thiokol.
AAM-N-6B/AIM-7E
This was the main production version with a Rocketdyne Mk 38 (later Mk 52) solid-propellant motor.
AIM-7F Sparrow
This was a virtually complete redesign of the original missile. Onboard guidance and control systems use solid-state electronics and a Doppler radar with conical scanning from a flat-plate aerial.
AIM-7H
This was a proposed upgrade to 5,000 AIM-7F missiles for more effective operation with newer radars and fire control systems.
AIM-7M
This was an improved AIM-7F with an inverse monopulse seeker that improved look-down/shoot-down capability and electronic countermeasures (ECM) resistance.
AIM-7N
This was a limited run of an updated AIM-7F used in the F-15 Multi-Stage Improvement Program.
AIM-7P
A development contract awarded to Raytheon in 1987 covered the AIM-7P. This was the final new-build Sparrow variant.
Missile Homing Improvement Program (MHIP)
This added an improved infrared (IR) seeker to the semi-active radar seeker to permit terminal homing in severe electronic countermeasures (ECM) environments.
AIM-7R
This program began in 1988 as the Missile Homing Improvement Program (MHIP). It added an infrared (IR) seeker to the guidance and control section for improved terminal phase operation against jamming targets.
Sky Flash and Aspide
These are British and Italian variants of Sparrow built under license.
Sea Sparrow RIM-7H/F/M/P
A ship-launched variant of the AIM-7E/F/M/P widely used by U.S. and NATO navies. See separate database entry.
Skyguard /Sparrow
This is a land-based AIM-7E/F/M variant combined with Oerlikon-Contraves 35-mm GDF series towed anti-aircraft guns and controlled by Skyguard fire-control system.
System
AIM-7 Sparrow III (AAM-N-6) Air-to-Air Missile
Name
AIM-7C Sparrow III (AAM-N-6)
Type
Air-to-Air Missile
Manufacturer
Raytheon
Length
3.66 m
Diameter
203 mm
Wingspan
1.02 m
Missile Weight
0.81 m
Warhead Type
1 x Mk 71 controlled fragmentation high-explosive
Warhead Weight
39 kg
Engine
1 x Hercules Mk 58 or Aerojet General Mk 65 boost-sustained solid-fuel rocket
Maximum Speed
Mach 2.5
Operational Range
14 km
Details
Country of Origin
United States
Category
Air-to-Air Missiles
Air > Air-to-Air Missiles
Filter Label
A
Classification
Domain
Air & Air Defense
Equipment Status
Active
Operators (15)
United States
Japan
South Korea
Turkey
Iran
Spain
Bahrain
Canada
Egypt
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Malaysia
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
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