Boeing AGM-86 ALCM vs Diehl Defence IRIS-T
Boeing AGM-86 ALCM and Diehl Defence IRIS-T are both missile, compared here on public specifications. The Boeing AGM-86 ALCM leads on range (2,400 vs 25 km).
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Full data
Full spec sheet
 Boeing AGM-86 ALCM
Wins 2/4 |  Diehl Defence IRIS-T
Wins 2/4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Max speed (km/h) | 890 km/h | N/A |
| Max speed (Mach) (Mach) | 0.73 Mach | 3 Mach ✓ |
| Range (km) | 2,400 km ✓ | 25 km |
| Service ceiling (m) | N/A | 20,000 m |
| Firepower | ||
| Warhead (kg) | 1,360 kg ✓ | 11 kg |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 6.3 m | 2.94 m |
| Combat weight (kg) | 1,458 kg | 87 kg |
| Propulsion | ||
| Thrust (kN) | 3 kN | N/A |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $1,000,000 | N/A |
| Units built | 2,004 | 5,000 ✓ |
| Operator countries | 1 | N/A |
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, Boeing AGM-86 ALCM and Diehl Defence IRIS-T? +
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 Boeing AGM-86 ALCM has the lower public unit-cost figure at 1,000,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Which has the higher max speed (mach)? +
The Diehl Defence IRIS-T has the higher max speed (mach) at 3 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 Diehl Defence IRIS-T has the higher units built at 5,000.
Is the Boeing AGM-86 ALCM better than the Diehl Defence IRIS-T? +
On the public specs we track, Boeing AGM-86 ALCM and Diehl Defence IRIS-T are closely matched, Boeing AGM-86 ALCM leads on range, warhead, while Diehl Defence IRIS-T leads on max speed (mach), units built. 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.
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