AIM-7C Sparrow

This page is about the American air-to-air missile AIM-7C Sparrow. For the other versions, see AIM-7 Sparrow (Family).

Description

The AIM-7C Sparrow missile (scale is approximate)

The AIM-7C Sparrow is an American semi-active radar-homing air-to-air missile. It was introduced in Update "Starfighters".

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

• F3H-2

General info

The AIM-7C Sparrow is a SARH guided missile with a 15G overload and is the earliest version of the AIM-7 found in-game.

Missile characteristics
Mass	172 kg
Guidance	SARH
Signal	CW
Lock range	12 km
Launch range	25 km
Maximum speed	3 M
Maximum overload	15 G
Missile guidance time	20 secs
Explosive mass	11.52 kg TNTeq

Effective damage

The AIM-7C Sparrow contains enough explosive to devastate any target. In most cases, this missile will instantly destroy any plane on contact.

Comparison with analogues

The AIM-7D, is faster, has a better lock-on range, and a missile guidance time twice as long as the AIM-7C. The AIM-9C and R-3R both turn better off the rail, have a better guidance time, but lack the same damage as the AIM-7C. Both are better at closer ranges.

Usage in battles

Using the AIM-7C Sparrow can be quite tricky as it requires many variables to align for proper tracking. As with many other AIM-7 Sparrows, the missile has a 1.5 second tracking delay upon launch, which can make leading a target difficult. Due to this and the missile's average G overload tolerance, it is generally best to use this from 4-5 km away on slow moving, high altitude targets who will give the missile ample time to track. However, some success can also be found in head-on engagements when launched from a 5-6 km distance to the target.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• All aspect guidance
• Matchmaking can result in games where many opponents do not have RWR or chaff countermeasures

Cons:

• Requires a constant radar lock
• Generally does not work at low altitude due to early radar systems
• Has a 1.5-second delay after launch before it begins tracking
• Quite short range, making the optimal launch window small
• Will sometimes completely fail to track, even under optimal circumstances

History

The AIM-7C Sparrow was the first missile produced in the US Armed Forces' 3rd generation of Sparrow missiles. Despite being a 3rd generation missile, it was the first fully operational Sparrow missile, as the previous generations contained only prototypes that were never used in live service. At the time, it was designated AAM-N-6, and entered service in 1958. It would keep this name until 1963 when the Air Force and Navy agreed on standardized naming conventions for their missiles. However, due to its short-range only 2,000 units were ever produced, and it was quickly replaced by the AIM-7D in 1959.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Related development

• AIM-7 Sparrow (Family)

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.