FORCETALLY
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At a glance
Rapier (missile)larger figure on 0 of 1
S-500 missile systemlarger figure on 1 of 1
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Configuration
| Specification | Rapier (missile) | S-500 missile system |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Surface-to-air missile[source] | Mobile surface-to-air missile[source] |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom[source] | Russian Federation[source] |
| In service | 1971–present[source] | 16 September 2021[source] |
| Used by | See operators[source] Iran |
Wingspan
Single source0.138 m (5.4 in)[source]
Maximum; Mach 3 (
Single sourceMaximum; Maximum speed
Single sourceMach 3 (3,700 km/h; 2,300 mph)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
Kenya[source]Current operator entry; any stated variant or condition remains in the excerpt
Russian Space Forces[source] |
| Wars | Falklands War Iran–Iraq War Gulf War[source] | — |
|---|
| Designer | British Aircraft Corporation[source] | Almaz-Antey[source] |
|---|
| Designed | 1963[source] | — |
|---|
| Manufacturer | British Aircraft Corporation (1963–1977) BAe Dynamics (1977–1999) MBDA UK (since 1999)[source] | Almaz-Antey[source] |
|---|
| Produced | 1969–1990s[source] | 2021–present[source] |
|---|
| No. built | ≈25,000 missiles, 600 launchers and 350 radars[source] | 1 S-500 regiment in service[source] |
|---|
| Variants | Mk1 ("Hittile"), Mk2B (Missile)[source] | — |
|---|
| Warhead | Blast fragmentation[source] | — |
|---|
| Detonation mechanism | Proximity triggered[source] | — |
|---|
| Engine | solid-fuel rocket[source] | — |
|---|
| Flight ceiling | 3,000 m (9,800 ft) (Mk1 missile), 5,000 m (16,000 ft) (Mk2)[source] | — |
|---|
| Guidance system | Semi-automatic command to line of sight[source] | — |
|---|
| Steering system | flight control surface[source] | — |
|---|
| Launch platform | vehicle or trailer[source] | — |
|---|
| Unit cost | — | $2.5 billion[source] |
|---|