Kh-20 vs Rapier
The Kh-20 and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Kh-20 has a range of 600 km — 73:1 the Rapier's 8 km. The Kh-20 reaches 2,450 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The Kh-20 carries a 2300 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the Rapier. Launch weight is 5,878 kg for the Kh-20 vs 43 kg for the Rapier. The Kh-20 uses Inertial with remote correction over radio guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight. The Kh-20 has been produced in 130 units vs 25,000 for the Rapier. The Kh-20 entered service 11 years before the Rapier (1960 vs 1971).
| Soviet air-to-surface missile, entered service in 1960, utilizing inertial guidance with radio correction. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Russian State Industry |
| Service year | 1960 |
| Number produced | 130 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 | 600.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 5,878 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 2300.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 14.95 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 1810 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial with remote correction over radio |
| 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-20 or Rapier?
The Kh-20 has a longer range at 600 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the Kh-20 or Rapier?
The Rapier is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the Kh-20's Mach 2.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the Kh-20 or Rapier?
The Kh-20 carries a larger warhead at 2,300 kg compared to the Rapier's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the Kh-20 or Rapier?
The Kh-20 is heavier at 5,878 kg compared to the Rapier's 43 kg.
Which is longer, the Kh-20 or Rapier?
The Kh-20 is longer at 14.95 meters compared to the Rapier's 2.24 meters.
What guidance systems do the Kh-20 and Rapier use?
The Kh-20 uses Inertial with remote correction over radio guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the Kh-20 or Rapier?
The Kh-20 entered service first in 1960, 11 years before the Rapier which entered service in 1971.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Kh-20 or Rapier?
The Rapier has been produced in greater numbers with 25,000 units compared to 130 units of the Kh-20.