Rapier (missile)

Rapier
A Swiss Air Force Rapier SAM installation with the detached generator set sited approximately 20 metres from the launcher. Fuel is being supplied to the generator from one of the three jerrycans grouped adjacent to it (one in use and two spare).
Type	Surface-to-air missile
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1971–present
Used by	See operators
Wars	Falklands War Iran–Iraq War Gulf War
Production history
Designer	British Aircraft Corporation
Designed	1963
Manufacturer	British Aircraft Corporation (1963–1977) BAe Dynamics (1977–1999) MBDA UK (since 1999)
Produced	1969–1990s
No. built	≈25,000 missiles, 600 launchers and 350 radars
Variants	Mk1 ("Hittile"), Mk2B (Missile)
Specifications
Mass	45 kg (99 lb)
Length	2.235 m (88.0 in)
Diameter	0.133 m (5.2 in)
Wingspan	0.138 m (5.4 in)
Warhead	Blast fragmentation explosive close proximity warhead
Detonation mechanism	Proximity triggered chemical fuze
Engine	solid-fuel rocket
Operational range	400–8,200 m (1,300–26,900 ft)[1]
Flight ceiling	3,000 m (9,800 ft) (Mk1 missile),[2] 5,000 m (16,000 ft) (Mk2)[3][unreliable source?]
Maximum speed	Mach 3 (3,700 km/h; 2,300 mph)
Guidance system	Semi-automatic command to line of sight[2]
Steering system	flight control surface
Launch platform	vehicle or trailer

Rapier is a surface-to-air missile developed for the British Army to replace their towed Bofors 40/L70 anti-aircraft guns. The system is unusual as it uses a manual optical guidance system, sending guidance commands to the missile in flight over a radio link. This results in a high level of accuracy, therefore a large warhead is not required.

Entering service in 1971, it eventually replaced all other anti-aircraft weapons in British Army service; both the Bofors guns used against low-altitude targets and the Thunderbird missile^[4] used against longer-range and higher-altitude targets. As the expected air threat moved from medium-altitude strategic missions to low-altitude strikes, the fast reaction time and high manoeuvrability of the Rapier made it more effective than either of these weapons, replacing most of them by 1977.

Rapier was later selected by the RAF Regiment to replace their Bofors guns and Tigercat missiles. It also saw international sales. In October 2021, it was replaced as one of the UK's primary air-defence weapons by Sky Sabre.^[5][6][7]