David's Sling vs Rapier

Overview

The David's Sling and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles.

The David's Sling has a range of 300 km — 37:1 the Rapier's 8 km. The David's Sling reaches 9,261 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The David's Sling uses AESA MMW 3D Radar, Dual Electro-optical FPA CCD + IIR Seeker guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight.

The Rapier entered service 46 years before the David's Sling (1971 vs 2017).

Israeli surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2017, reaches speeds of Mach 7.6.
Origin 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇺🇸 United States
Category Surface-to-Air
Type Medium to long range surface-to-air/anti-ballistic missile
Manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Service year 2017
Number produced -- units
Estimated unit price $0.7 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 300.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 7.6
Weight -- kg
Warhead -- kg
Length NA
Diameter -- mm
Guidance AESA MMW 3D Radar, Dual Electro-optical FPA CCD + IIR Seeker
Warhead type Kinetic 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 David's Sling or Rapier?
The David's Sling has a longer range at 300 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the David's Sling or Rapier?
The David's Sling is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 7.6 compared to the Rapier's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the David's Sling or Rapier?
The Rapier carries a larger warhead at 1 kg compared to the David's Sling's 0 kg.
Which is heavier, the David's Sling or Rapier?
The Rapier is heavier at 43 kg compared to the David's Sling's 0 kg.
Which is longer, the David's Sling or Rapier?
The Rapier is longer at 2.24 meters compared to the David's Sling's 0.00 meters.
What guidance systems do the David's Sling and Rapier use?
The David's Sling uses AESA MMW 3D Radar, Dual Electro-optical FPA CCD + IIR Seeker guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the David's Sling or Rapier?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 46 years before the David's Sling which entered service in 2017.