QW-1 vs Rapier
Overview
The QW-1 and the Rapier are both Surface-to-Air missiles.
Range is 5 km for the QW-1 vs 8 km for the Rapier. The QW-1 reaches 2,160 km/h vs 3,700 km/h for the Rapier. The QW-1 carries a 1 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the Rapier. Launch weight is 16 kg for the QW-1 vs 43 kg for the Rapier. The QW-1 uses Digital seeker and contact-proximity fuse guidance, while the Rapier relies on Semi-automatic command to line of sight.
The Rapier entered service 23 years before the QW-1 (1971 vs 1994).
| Chinese portable surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1994, utilizing a digital seeker for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Portable infrared surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | People's Republic of China |
| Service year | 1994 |
| 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 | 5.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.8 ◉ |
| Weight | 16 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 1.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 1.45 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 80 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Digital seeker and contact-proximity fuse |
| 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
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the QW-1 or Rapier?
The Rapier has a longer range at 8 km compared to the QW-1's 5 km.
Which is faster, the QW-1 or Rapier?
The Rapier is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the QW-1's Mach 1.8.
Which has a larger warhead, the QW-1 or Rapier?
Both the QW-1 and Rapier carry the same warhead weight of 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the QW-1 or Rapier?
The Rapier is heavier at 43 kg compared to the QW-1's 16 kg.
Which is longer, the QW-1 or Rapier?
The Rapier is longer at 2.24 meters compared to the QW-1's 1.45 meters.
What guidance systems do the QW-1 and Rapier use?
The QW-1 uses Digital seeker and contact-proximity fuse guidance while the Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance.
Which entered service first, the QW-1 or Rapier?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 23 years before the QW-1 which entered service in 1994.