AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow vs Rapier
The AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow has a range of 80 km — 9.8x the Rapier's 8 km. The AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow carries a 18 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the Rapier. Launch weight is 195 kg for the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow vs 43 kg for the Rapier. The AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow uses Seek head guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight.
| American surface-to-air missile, with a range of 80 km, using "seek head" guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Northrop / Boeing / Texas Instruments |
| Service year | -- |
| Number produced | 0 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.2 million |
| British surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1971, utilizes semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | British Aerospace |
| Service year | 1971 |
| Number produced | 25,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Range | 80.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | NA |
| Weight | 195 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 18.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.56 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 701 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Seek head |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 8.2 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 |
| Weight | 43 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 1.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.24 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 133 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-automatic command to line of sight |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow or Rapier?
The AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow has a longer range at 80 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow or Rapier?
The Rapier is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow's 0 km/h.
Which has a larger warhead, the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow or Rapier?
The AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow carries a larger warhead at 18 kg compared to the Rapier's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow or Rapier?
The AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow is heavier at 195 kg compared to the Rapier's 43 kg.
Which is longer, the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow or Rapier?
The AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow is longer at 2.56 meters compared to the Rapier's 2.24 meters.
What guidance systems do the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow and Rapier use?
The AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow uses Seek head guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.