Arrow 3 vs Rapier
The Arrow 3 and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Arrow 3 has a range of 2,400 km — 293:1 the Rapier's 8 km. The Arrow 3 reaches 14,817 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The Arrow 3 uses Inertial navigation system (INS) gimbaled seeker guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight. The Rapier entered service 46 years before the Arrow 3 (1971 vs 2017).
| Israeli exoatmospheric anti-ballistic missile, entered service in 2017, utilizes inertial navigation with a gimbaled seeker. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Exoatmospheric anti-ballistic missile |
| Manufacturer | Israel Aerospace Industries |
| Service year | 2017 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $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 | 2,400.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 12.1 ◉ |
| Weight | -- kg |
| Warhead | -- kg |
| Length | NA |
| Diameter | -- mm |
| Guidance | Inertial navigation system (INS) gimbaled seeker |
| Warhead type | Hit-to-kill |
| 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 Arrow 3 or Rapier?
The Arrow 3 has a longer range at 2,400 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the Arrow 3 or Rapier?
The Arrow 3 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 12.1 compared to the Rapier's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the Arrow 3 or Rapier?
The Rapier carries a larger warhead at 1 kg compared to the Arrow 3's 0 kg.
Which is heavier, the Arrow 3 or Rapier?
The Rapier is heavier at 43 kg compared to the Arrow 3's 0 kg.
Which is longer, the Arrow 3 or Rapier?
The Rapier is longer at 2.24 meters compared to the Arrow 3's 0.00 meters.
What guidance systems do the Arrow 3 and Rapier use?
The Arrow 3 uses Inertial navigation system (INS) gimbaled seeker guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the Arrow 3 or Rapier?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 46 years before the Arrow 3 which entered service in 2017.