Boeing AGM-86 ALCM vs Raytheon (RTX) AIM-9X Sidewinder
Boeing AGM-86 ALCM and Raytheon (RTX) AIM-9X Sidewinder are both missile, compared here on public specifications. The Boeing AGM-86 ALCM leads on range (2,400 vs 35 km).
Compare systems side by side
Search above to add up to five systems. You’ll get a per-spec winner, relative bars, a normalized spec profile and an honest verdict, every number from public sources.
Building a fleet? Try the Force Builder →
Full data
Full spec sheet
 Boeing AGM-86 ALCM
Wins 2/6 | Raytheon (RTX) AIM-9X Sidewinder
Wins 4/6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Max speed (km/h) | 890 km/h | N/A |
| Max speed (Mach) (Mach) | 0.73 Mach | 2.5 Mach ✓ |
| Range (km) | 2,400 km ✓ | 35 km |
| Firepower | ||
| Warhead (kg) | 1,360 kg ✓ | 9 kg |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 6.3 m | 3.02 m |
| Combat weight (kg) | 1,458 kg | 85 kg |
| Propulsion | ||
| Thrust (kN) | 3 kN | N/A |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $1,000,000 | $600,000 ✓ |
| Units built | 2,004 | 12,000 ✓ |
| Operator countries | 1 | 30 ✓ |
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, Boeing AGM-86 ALCM and Raytheon (RTX) AIM-9X Sidewinder? +
The Boeing AGM-86 ALCM is the fastest of the 2 compared here, at 890 km/h.
Which has the longer range? +
The Boeing AGM-86 ALCM has the longest range at 2,400 km.
Which is cheaper? +
The Raytheon (RTX) AIM-9X Sidewinder has the lower public unit-cost figure at 600,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Which has the higher max speed (mach)? +
The Raytheon (RTX) AIM-9X Sidewinder has the higher max speed (mach) at 2.5 Mach.
Which has the higher warhead? +
The Boeing AGM-86 ALCM has the higher warhead at 1,360 kg.
Which has the higher units built? +
The Raytheon (RTX) AIM-9X Sidewinder has the higher units built at 12,000.
Is the Boeing AGM-86 ALCM better than the Raytheon (RTX) AIM-9X Sidewinder? +
On the public specs we track, the Raytheon (RTX) AIM-9X Sidewinder leads on 4 of 6 headline metrics, see the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
Keep exploring
