Rapier vs S-500 Prometheus
The Rapier and the S-500 Prometheus are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The S-500 Prometheus has a range of 600 km — 73:1 the Rapier's 8 km. The Rapier reaches 3,700 km/h vs 25,200 km/h for the S-500 Prometheus. The Rapier entered service 50 years before the S-500 Prometheus (1971 vs 2021).
| 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 |
| Russian surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2021, with a maximum speed of Mach 20.6. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile / anti-ballistic missile |
| Manufacturer | Almaz-Antey |
| Service year | 2021 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $2500 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 | 600.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 20.6 ◉ |
| Weight | -- kg |
| Warhead | -- kg |
| Length | NA |
| Diameter | -- mm |
| Guidance | -- |
| Warhead type | -- |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Rapier or S-500 Prometheus?
The S-500 Prometheus has a longer range at 600 km compared to the Rapier's 8 km.
Which is faster, the Rapier or S-500 Prometheus?
The S-500 Prometheus is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 20.6 compared to the Rapier's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the Rapier or S-500 Prometheus?
The Rapier carries a larger warhead at 1 kg compared to the S-500 Prometheus's 0 kg.
Which is heavier, the Rapier or S-500 Prometheus?
The Rapier is heavier at 43 kg compared to the S-500 Prometheus's 0 kg.
Which is longer, the Rapier or S-500 Prometheus?
The Rapier is longer at 2.24 meters compared to the S-500 Prometheus's 0.00 meters.
Which entered service first, the Rapier or S-500 Prometheus?
The Rapier entered service first in 1971, 50 years before the S-500 Prometheus which entered service in 2021.