Kh-59 vs Rapier
The Kh-59 and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Kh-59 has a range of 290 km — 35:1 the Rapier's 8 km. The Kh-59 reaches 980 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The Kh-59 carries a 320 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the Rapier. Launch weight is 930 kg for the Kh-59 vs 43 kg for the Rapier. The Kh-59 uses Inertial, TV, active radar homing guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight. The Rapier entered service 9 years before the Kh-59 (1971 vs 1980).
| Russian air-to-surface missile, entered service in 1980, utilizing TV and active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Tactical Missiles Corporation |
| Service year | 1980 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| 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 | 290.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 980 km/h ◉ |
| Weight | 930 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 320.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 5.85 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 420 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial, TV, active radar homing |
| 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 Kh-59 or Rapier?
The Kh-59 has a longer range at 290 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the Kh-59 or Rapier?
The Rapier is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the Kh-59's 980 km/h.
Which has a larger warhead, the Kh-59 or Rapier?
The Kh-59 carries a larger warhead at 320 kg compared to the Rapier's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the Kh-59 or Rapier?
The Kh-59 is heavier at 930 kg compared to the Rapier's 43 kg.
Which is longer, the Kh-59 or Rapier?
The Kh-59 is longer at 5.85 meters compared to the Rapier's 2.24 meters.
What guidance systems do the Kh-59 and Rapier use?
The Kh-59 uses Inertial, TV, active radar homing guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the Kh-59 or Rapier?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 9 years before the Kh-59 which entered service in 1980.