NASAMS vs Rapier
The NASAMS and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The NASAMS has a range of 30 km — 3.7x the Rapier's 8 km. The NASAMS reaches 4,900 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The NASAMS carries a 20 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the Rapier. The NASAMS uses Active radar homing guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight. The Rapier entered service 26 years before the NASAMS (1971 vs 1997).
| Norwegian/American surface-to-air missile system, entered service in 1997, using active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile system |
| Manufacturer | Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace |
| Service year | 1997 |
| 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 | 30.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | -- kg |
| Warhead | 20.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | NA |
| Diameter | -- mm |
| Guidance | 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 NASAMS or Rapier?
The NASAMS has a longer range at 30 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the NASAMS or Rapier?
The NASAMS is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the Rapier's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the NASAMS or Rapier?
The NASAMS carries a larger warhead at 20 kg compared to the Rapier's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the NASAMS or Rapier?
The Rapier is heavier at 43 kg compared to the NASAMS's 0 kg.
Which is longer, the NASAMS or Rapier?
The Rapier is longer at 2.24 meters compared to the NASAMS's 0.00 meters.
What guidance systems do the NASAMS and Rapier use?
The NASAMS uses Active radar homing guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the NASAMS or Rapier?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 26 years before the NASAMS which entered service in 1997.