AIM-7M Sparrow

Description

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

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

• F-16A ADF
• ▄F-16A ADF
• ␗F-16A MLU

General info

Missile characteristics
Mass	231 kg
Guidance	SARH
Signal	CW
Lock range	40 km
Launch range	100 km
Maximum speed	4.0 M
Maximum overload	25 G
Missile guidance time	75 secs
Explosive mass	15.09 kg TNTeq

Effective damage

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Comparison with analogues

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Usage in battles

The AIM-7M is far superior to its previous generation of missiles (AIM-7E-2, AIM-7E, AIM-7D, etc) mainly due to its range. Unlike the previous generation of Sparrows, the AIM-7M is suited for both low-altitude and but excels at high-altitude targets.

Low-altitude

The AIM-7M can hold its own at low-altitude fighting. Due to the lack of a guidance delay, the AIM-7M can confidently be used in close-range engagements at low-altitude in conjunction with the 25 G overload. For low-altitude targets, players can be daring and launch missiles from ~8 KM (4.9 MI), but to have a higher chance of hitting the target, it's better to launch from ~5 KM (3.1 MI). Launching from 5 KM gives the target less time to go into the notch and evade the Sparrow.

High-altitude

The AIM-7M shines in this aspect. Players can be assured of launching missiles 12+ KM out from the target due to the AIM-7Ms long burn time and maneuverability. The AIM-7M has the 2nd highest impulse of any SARH missile (956 m/s), second only to the R-27ER (1195 m/s). This allows for very long-range launches at high altitude. In order to achieve a high probability of kill, it's important to stay fast and stay on the target to achieve a clear lock. Staying fast allows the missile to reach a higher speed, increasing the range.

Pros and cons

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Pros:

• Very manoeuvrable
• Exceptional range
• No guidance delay, unlike all of its contemporaries
• Very large explosive mass

Cons:

• Can be spotted for a very long time due to the motor

History

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Media

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See also

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• reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;
• references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.

External links

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