Iron Dome vs Rapier
The Iron Dome and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Iron Dome has a range of 70 km — 8.5x the Rapier's 8 km. The Iron Dome reaches 2,717 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The Iron Dome carries a 11 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the Rapier. Launch weight is 90 kg for the Iron Dome vs 43 kg for the Rapier. The Iron Dome uses Electro-optic sensors guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight. The Rapier entered service 40 years before the Iron Dome (1971 vs 2011).
| Israeli surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2011, uses electro-optic sensors for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | C-RAM and Short Range Air Defence System |
| Manufacturer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Service year | 2011 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.2 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 | 70.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.2 ◉ |
| Weight | 90 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.00 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Electro-optic sensors |
| Warhead type | Proximity fuze |
| 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 Iron Dome or Rapier?
The Iron Dome has a longer range at 70 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the Iron Dome or Rapier?
The Rapier is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the Iron Dome's Mach 2.2.
Which has a larger warhead, the Iron Dome or Rapier?
The Iron Dome carries a larger warhead at 11 kg compared to the Rapier's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the Iron Dome or Rapier?
The Iron Dome is heavier at 90 kg compared to the Rapier's 43 kg.
Which is longer, the Iron Dome or Rapier?
The Iron Dome is longer at 3.00 meters compared to the Rapier's 2.24 meters.
What guidance systems do the Iron Dome and Rapier use?
The Iron Dome uses Electro-optic sensors guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the Iron Dome or Rapier?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 40 years before the Iron Dome which entered service in 2011.