Aster 15 / 30 vs Rapier
The Aster 15 / 30 and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Aster 15 / 30 has a range of 120 km — 15:1 the Rapier's 8 km. The Aster 15 / 30 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The Aster 15 / 30 carries a 15 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the Rapier. Launch weight is 510 kg for the Aster 15 / 30 vs 43 kg for the Rapier. The Aster 15 / 30 uses Inertial guidance with up-link and active RF seeker guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight. The Rapier entered service 30 years before the Aster 15 / 30 (1971 vs 2001).
| French surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2001, using inertial guidance with active RF seeker. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Euromissile |
| Service year | 2001 |
| 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 | 120.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 510 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 15.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.20 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 180 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial guidance with up-link and active RF seeker |
| 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 Aster 15 / 30 or Rapier?
The Aster 15 / 30 has a longer range at 120 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the Aster 15 / 30 or Rapier?
The Aster 15 / 30 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the Rapier's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the Aster 15 / 30 or Rapier?
The Aster 15 / 30 carries a larger warhead at 15 kg compared to the Rapier's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the Aster 15 / 30 or Rapier?
The Aster 15 / 30 is heavier at 510 kg compared to the Rapier's 43 kg.
Which is longer, the Aster 15 / 30 or Rapier?
The Aster 15 / 30 is longer at 4.20 meters compared to the Rapier's 2.24 meters.
What guidance systems do the Aster 15 / 30 and Rapier use?
The Aster 15 / 30 uses Inertial guidance with up-link and active RF seeker guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the Aster 15 / 30 or Rapier?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 30 years before the Aster 15 / 30 which entered service in 2001.