Additionally, early models were only effective against targets at roughly the same or higher altitudes, below which reflections from the ground became a problem.Ī number of upgraded Sparrow designs were developed to address these issues. As the launching aircraft's own radar needed to be pointed at the target throughout the engagement, this meant that in fighter-vs-fighter combat, the enemy fighter would often approach within the range of shorter-range infrared homing missiles while the launching aircraft had to continue flying towards its target. Against smaller targets, the need to receive a strong reflected radar signal made achieving lock-on at the missile's effective range difficult. The early Sparrow was intended primarily for use against larger targets, especially bombers and had numerous operational limitations in other uses. It remains in service, although it is being phased out in aviation applications in favor of the more advanced AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Sparrow and its derivatives were the West's principal beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile from the late 1950s until the 1990s. The AIM-7 Sparrow (Air Intercept Missile ) is an American, medium-range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile operated by the United States Air Force, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps, as well as other various air forces and navies.
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