Editing AIM-7 Sparrow (section)

===Post Vietnam===
Work began in the mid-1960s on a new version in an attempt to address the weapon's limitations. The '''AIM-7F''', which entered service in 1976, had a dual-stage rocket motor for longer range and [[solid-state electronics]] for greatly improved reliability. The reduction in volume from the new guidance system also enabled a larger warhead to be fitted, improving the missile's lethality.

The issues encountered by AIM-7 were not exclusive to the US either, with both [[British Aerospace]] and the Italian firm [[Alenia Aeronautica|Selenia]] developing improved missiles at the behest of their national governments as the [[Skyflash|BAe Skyflash]] and [[Alenia Aspide|Selenia Aspide]]. Notably, both missiles incorporated more reliable [[inverse monopulse seeker]]s, a feature American AIM-7s would not gain until the 1980s.

The most common version of the Sparrow today, the '''AIM-7M''', entered service in 1982 and featured a new inverse monopulse seeker (matching the capabilities of Skyflash and Aspide), active radar [[proximity fuse]], digital controls, improved [[electronic countermeasures|ECM]] resistance, and better low-altitude performance. It was used to good advantage in the 1991 [[Gulf War]], where it scored many USAF air-to-air kills. Of 44 missiles fired, 30 (68.2%) hit their intended targets resulting in 24/26 (54.5%/59.1%) kills. 19 kills were obtained beyond visual range.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006psa_winter_roundtable/watts.pdf |title=Barry D. Watts: ''Six Decades of Guided Munitions'', Precision Strike Association, 25 January 2006, p. 7 |access-date=26 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720010705/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006psa_winter_roundtable/watts.pdf |archive-date=20 July 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

The '''AIM-7P''' is similar in most ways to the M versions, and was primarily an upgrade for existing M-series missiles. Changes were mainly to the software, improving low-level performance. A follow-on Block II upgrade added a new rear receiver allowing the missile to receive mid-course correction from the launching aircraft.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} Plans initially called for all M versions to be upgraded, but currently P's are being issued as required to replace M's lost or removed from the inventory.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

The U.S. Navy planned to operate the missile through 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-7 Sparrow |url=https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/Air-Intercept-Missile-AIM-7-Sparrow |website=NAVAIR |access-date=24 October 2024}}</ref>

The Sparrow is now being phased out with the availability of the active-radar [[AIM-120 AMRAAM]], but is likely to remain in service for several years.{{when|date=July 2023}}{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}