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The '''AIM-7 Sparrow''' is a radar guided [[air-to-air missile]]. It first entered service in 1958. The missile guidance system requires the launch aircraft to reflect radar energy off the target, and the missile homes in on the reflected energy. This means that the launch aircraft has to remain in straight and level flight, which is a disadvantage in a dogfight.
The '''AIM-7 Sparrow''' is a radar guided [[air-to-air missile]]. It first entered into military service in 1958. The missile guidance system requires the launch aircraft to reflect radar energy off the target, and the missile homes in in the reflected energy. This means that the launch aircraft has to remain in strait and level flight, which is a disadvantage in a dogfight.
The Sparrow was built for the [[F-4 Phantom]] to carry. However, it is carried by many other fighters, such as the [[F-15 Eagle]] , which typically carries four Sparrows at all times, whatever other payload it carries. It also is carried on the [[F-18 Hornet]], and the British [[Sky Flash]] is based on its design.
The Sparrow was built for the [[F-4 Phantom]] to carry. However, it is carried by many other fighters, such as the [[F-15 Eagle]] , which typically carries four Sparrows at all times, whatever other payload it carries. It also is carried on the [[F-18 Hornet]], and the British [[Sky Flash]] is based on its design.
Warhead: Continuous rod, 88 lbs.
Warhead: Continuous rod, 88 lbs.
The Sparrow was first used in the [[Vietnam War]], but had problems with reliability. Performance improved, and in the [[Gulf War]], 24 out of the 31 air-to-air victories scored by F-15s were brought down by AIM-7s.<ref>''F-15C Eagle Units in Combat'', by Steve Davies, Osprey Publishing, 2005</ref>
The Sparrow was first used in the [[Vietnam War]], but had problems with reliabelity. Performance improved, and in the [[Gulf War]], 24 out of the 31 air-to-air victories scored by F-15s were brought down by AIM-7s.<ref>''F-15C Eagle Units in Combat'', by Steve Davies, Osprey Publishing, 2005</ref>
==References==
==References==