Describe the AIM-7 Sparrow.

• A. Air-to-air missile with active radar guidance.
• B. Solid fuel rocket propelled air-to-air missile with semi-active radar homing and conventional warhead.
• C. Liquid fuel jet engine propelled air-to-ground missile with conventional warhead.
• D. Solid fuel rocket propelled air-to-air missile with infrared guidance.

Answer: (B)

The AIM-7 Sparrow is a mid‑range air‑to‑air missile that uses semi‑active radar homing, powered by a solid‑fuel rocket motor, and equipped with a conventional warhead. In semi‑active radar homing, the launch aircraft’s radar illuminates the target, and the missile’s seeker detects the radar energy reflected from the target to steer toward it, rather than carrying its own active radar transmitter.

The solid‑fuel propulsion provides reliable, quick thrust without the complexity of a liquid‑propellant motor, and the conventional warhead is a standard explosive payload rather than a specialized guidance or infrared system. This combination distinguishes the Sparrow from missiles that are infrared-guided, fuel‑liquid powered, or designed for ground targets.