The AIM-7 Sparrow is a medium-range air-to-air missile developed by Raytheon for use by the United States military. It is designed to engage enemy aircraft and is guided by a semi-active radar homing system, which means it relies on radar signals from the launching aircraft to track its target. First introduced in the 1950s, the AIM-7 has been used in various military aircraft, including the F-14 Tomcat and F-15 Eagle. Over the years, it has undergone several upgrades to improve its performance and effectiveness in combat situations, making it a key component of air superiority missions.