IRIS-T SLM vs Rapier
The IRIS-T SLM and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The IRIS-T SLM has a range of 40 km — 4.9x the Rapier's 8 km. The IRIS-T SLM reaches 3,600 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The IRIS-T SLM carries a 11 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the Rapier. Launch weight is 130 kg for the IRIS-T SLM vs 43 kg for the Rapier. The IRIS-T SLM uses Combined radar and infrared guidance guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight. The Rapier entered service 49 years before the IRIS-T SLM (1971 vs 2020).
| German surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2020, uses combined radar and infrared guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Diehl Defence |
| Service year | 2020 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.6 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 | 40.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.9 ◉ |
| Weight | 130 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.45 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 152 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Combined radar and infrared guidance |
| Warhead type | Dual-layer HE/fragmentation |
| 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 IRIS-T SLM or Rapier?
The IRIS-T SLM has a longer range at 40 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the IRIS-T SLM or Rapier?
The Rapier is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the IRIS-T SLM's Mach 2.9.
Which has a larger warhead, the IRIS-T SLM or Rapier?
The IRIS-T SLM carries a larger warhead at 11 kg compared to the Rapier's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the IRIS-T SLM or Rapier?
The IRIS-T SLM is heavier at 130 kg compared to the Rapier's 43 kg.
Which is longer, the IRIS-T SLM or Rapier?
The IRIS-T SLM is longer at 3.45 meters compared to the Rapier's 2.24 meters.
What guidance systems do the IRIS-T SLM and Rapier use?
The IRIS-T SLM uses Combined radar and infrared guidance guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the IRIS-T SLM or Rapier?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 49 years before the IRIS-T SLM which entered service in 2020.