Rapier vs RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
Overview
The Rapier and the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow are both Surface-to-Air missiles.
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow has a range of 19 km — 2.3x the Rapier's 8 km. The Rapier reaches 3,700 km/h vs 4,256 km/h for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. The Rapier carries a 1 kg warhead vs 40 kg for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. Launch weight is 43 kg for the Rapier vs 228 kg for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. The Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance, while the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow relies on Semi-active radar homing.
The Rapier entered service 5 years before the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow (1971 vs 1976).
| 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 |
| American surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1976, 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 | 1976 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.2 million |
| 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 |
| Range | 19.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 228 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 40.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.98 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Rapier or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow has a longer range at 19 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the Rapier or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.5 compared to the Rapier's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the Rapier or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow carries a larger warhead at 40 kg compared to the Rapier's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the Rapier or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow is heavier at 228 kg compared to the Rapier's 43 kg.
Which is longer, the Rapier or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow is longer at 3.98 meters compared to the Rapier's 2.24 meters.
What guidance systems do the Rapier and RIM-7 Sea Sparrow use?
The Rapier uses Semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance while the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Rapier or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 5 years before the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow which entered service in 1976.