MIM-23 Hawk vs Rapier
The MIM-23 Hawk and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The MIM-23 Hawk has a range of 40 km — 4.9x the Rapier's 8 km. The MIM-23 Hawk reaches 2,964 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The MIM-23 Hawk carries a 136 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the Rapier. Launch weight is 626 kg for the MIM-23 Hawk vs 43 kg for the Rapier. The MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight. The MIM-23 Hawk has been produced in 40,000 units vs 25,000 for the Rapier. The MIM-23 Hawk entered service 11 years before the Rapier (1960 vs 1971).
| American surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1960, uses semi-active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1960 |
| Number produced | 40,000 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 2.4 ◉ |
| Weight | 626 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 136.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 5.12 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 356 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| 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 MIM-23 Hawk or Rapier?
The MIM-23 Hawk has a longer range at 40 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the MIM-23 Hawk or Rapier?
The Rapier is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the MIM-23 Hawk's Mach 2.4.
Which has a larger warhead, the MIM-23 Hawk or Rapier?
The MIM-23 Hawk carries a larger warhead at 136 kg compared to the Rapier's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the MIM-23 Hawk or Rapier?
The MIM-23 Hawk is heavier at 626 kg compared to the Rapier's 43 kg.
Which is longer, the MIM-23 Hawk or Rapier?
The MIM-23 Hawk is longer at 5.12 meters compared to the Rapier's 2.24 meters.
What guidance systems do the MIM-23 Hawk and Rapier use?
The MIM-23 Hawk uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the MIM-23 Hawk or Rapier?
The MIM-23 Hawk entered service first in 1960, 11 years before the Rapier which entered service in 1971.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the MIM-23 Hawk or Rapier?
The MIM-23 Hawk has been produced in greater numbers with 40,000 units compared to 25,000 units of the Rapier.