How fast is an AIM-9 Sidewinder?
Christopher Pierce
Updated on February 25, 2026
Mach 2.5
The Sidewinder is the most widely used air-to-air missile in the West, with more than 110,000 missiles produced for the U.S. and 27 other nations, of which perhaps one percent have been used in combat….
| AIM-9 Sidewinder | |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 11 in (279.4 mm) |
| Operational range | 0.6 to 22 miles (1.0 to 35.4 km) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5+ |
What are Sidewinder missiles used for?
The AIM-9X® SIDEWINDER™ missile is a triple-threat missile that can be used for air-to-air engagements, surface-attack and surface-launch missions without modifications. A U.S. Navy-led, joint program with the U.S. Air Force, the AIM-9X SIDEWINDER also has 26 Foreign Military Sales partners.
How many G’s can a Sidewinder pull?
For example the AMRAAM can pull 30 Gs max and probably turns tightest at Mach 3 speed. The AIM-9X Sidewinder can pull 60 Gs etc.
Is the aim-9 heat seeking?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a supersonic, heat-seeking, air-to-air missile carried by fighter aircraft. It has a high-explosive warhead and an infrared heat-seeking guidance system.
How does an aim 9 work?
The Sidewinder AIM-9 (air intercept missile 9) is classified as a short-range, air-to-air missile. Simply put, its job is to launch from an airborne aircraft and “kill” an enemy aircraft (damage it to the point that it goes down).
What is an AIM-9 Sidewinder?
The Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9 Sidewinder is a supersonic, short-range air-to-air missile developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1950s. Entering service in 1956, variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces after five decades.
What is the AIM-9X missile used for?
AIM-9X Sidewinder Missile 1 Infrared-tracking, short-range, multi-mission missile. The AIM-9X® Sidewinder missile is a triple-threat missile that can be used for air-to-air engagements, surface-attack and surface-launch missions without modifications. 2 Multiple platforms. 3 Block II variant.
What is a Sidewinder missile used for?
Infrared-tracking, short-range, multi-mission missile The AIM-9X® SIDEWINDER™ missile is a triple-threat missile that can be used for air-to-air engagements, surface-attack and surface-launch missions without modifications. A U.S. Navy-led, joint program with the U.S. Air Force, the AIM-9X SIDEWINDER also has 26 Foreign Military Sales partners.
How many AIM-9 Sidewinders were shot down in Vietnam?
Vietnam War AIM-9 claimed aerial combat kills In total 452 Sidewinders were fired during the Vietnam War, resulting in a kill probability of 0.18. Note: the speed of the B model was around 1.7 Mach and the other models above 2.5.
