Rapier (missile): Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 00:50, 19 February 2012
| Rapier | |
|---|---|
 A Swiss Rapier. | |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1971–present |
| Production history | |
| Designer | British Aircraft Corporation |
| Designed | 1963 |
| Produced | 1969 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 45 kg |
| Length | 2.235 |
| Diameter | 0 |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 |
Guidance system | GGU |
Steering system | c |
Rapier is a British surface-to-air missile. It was developed for the British Army and Royal Air Force. It entered service in 1971. It has now replaced all other anti-aircraft weapons in service with the British Army. Rapier is still the UK's most-used air-defence weapon even after almost 35 years of service.
Rapier defends against fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft and cruise missiles.[1] It is able to fire two missiles at once.[1]
Rapier can be moved around by ground and air.[1]
History
Rapier started being developed privately by the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC). It was then known as "Sightline".[2]
At the time the British Army was planning to buy the advanced American MIM-46 Mauler system for its air-defence. The first test firings of Rapier happened in 1966.[2] Complete Rapiers were tested in 1968. This led to a production contract being given in 1969. Rapier entered service in 1971 with the British Army, and 1974 with the Royal Air Force Regiment.
Possible replacement
It has been announced the UK MoD was giving money to a company to find a replacement for Rapier. The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) would have some components the same as the ASRAAM missile which is in service with the RAF.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "British Army equipment". British Army. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Rapier 2000/Jernas", Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems, 15 February 2008
- ↑ Missiles and Fire Support at DSEi 2007
Other websites
Media related to Rapier missiles at Wikimedia Commons