AIM-7 Sparrow missile

Also known as

AIM-7 Sparrow
AIM-7
Sparrow
Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-7 Sparrow

The AIM-7 Sparrow missile is a U.S.-developed, medium-range air-to-air missile designed for beyond-visual-range interception. Official Navy and Air Force fact sheets describe it as a radio-frequency guided weapon built by Raytheon and General Dynamics, with the F-14A Tomcat documented as a Sparrow-carrying platform.

AIM-7 Sparrow missile, Air-to-air missile, Munitions

Image source: AIM-7 Sparrow Commons file

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: RaytheonGeneral Dynamics
Type: Air-to-air missile
Service note: Cold War
Unit cost: Approximately $125,000

air-to-air guided missile air-launched supersonic

Specifications

Guidance: Radio-frequency homing from the launching aircraft
Length: 12 feet (3.64 meters)
Launch weight: About 500 pounds (225 kilograms)
Diameter: 8 inches (20.3 centimeters)
Speed: Up to Mach 4
Range: Up to 30 kilometers
Warhead: Blast-fragmentation

Variants

RIM-7 Sea Sparrow

Carrier Aircraft

The F-14A Tomcat is one documented carrier aircraft for the AIM-7 Sparrow missile.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

F-14 Tomcat, Carrier-based air superiority fighter, Aircraft & UAVs

Carrier-based fighter

The NHHC F-14A Tomcat page lists four AIM-7 Sparrow missiles in the aircraft's armament.

Sources: F-14A Tomcat - NHHC

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

Used by: United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, NATO forces

Media

AIM-7 Sparrow missile Videos

From failure to redemption | The AIM-7 Sparrow

AIM-7 Sparrow missile Images

AIM-7 Sparrow missile, Air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: AIM-7 Sparrow on F-14 Commons file

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Sources

AIM-7 Sparrow - NAVAIRPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports official missile background, manufacturer context, guidance, range, speed, and dimensions. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 AIM-7 Sparrow - Air ForcePublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports unit cost and additional missile specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 AIM-7 Sparrow Commons filePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the primary image provenance and public-domain licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 AIM-7 Sparrow on F-14 Commons filePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the secondary gallery image provenance and public-domain licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 F-14A Tomcat - NHHCPublisher: Naval History and Heritage Command | Note: Supports the F-14A Tomcat armament listing that includes AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-27