HQ-16 vs Rapier
The HQ-16 and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The HQ-16 has a range of 40 km — 4.9x the Rapier's 8 km. The HQ-16 reaches 3,500 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The HQ-16 carries a 65 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the Rapier. The HQ-16 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight. The Rapier entered service 37 years before the HQ-16 (1971 vs 2008).
| Chinese surface-to-air missile, entering service in 2008, utilizes semi-active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Medium-range surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology |
| Service year | 2008 |
| 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 | 40.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.9 ◉ |
| Weight | -- kg |
| Warhead | 65.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | NA |
| Diameter | -- mm |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | -- |
| 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 HQ-16 or Rapier?
The HQ-16 has a longer range at 40 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the HQ-16 or Rapier?
The Rapier is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the HQ-16's Mach 2.9.
Which has a larger warhead, the HQ-16 or Rapier?
The HQ-16 carries a larger warhead at 65 kg compared to the Rapier's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the HQ-16 or Rapier?
The Rapier is heavier at 43 kg compared to the HQ-16's 0 kg.
Which is longer, the HQ-16 or Rapier?
The Rapier is longer at 2.24 meters compared to the HQ-16's 0.00 meters.
What guidance systems do the HQ-16 and Rapier use?
The HQ-16 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the HQ-16 or Rapier?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 37 years before the HQ-16 which entered service in 2008.