RAPIER

In 1964, the British Ministry of Defense issued specifications for a new antiaircraft missile system against high speed low-flying aircrafts. The system had to be small and lightweight with a handy missile, so British Aircraft Corporation opted for a manual optical guidance, that did not need an illuminating radar, and allowed a smaller missile. The explosive charge was only 1.4 kg, because with its guide system, the missile hit directly on the target and did not need proximity fuses or a huge warhead. The missile was named Rapier and its production began in 1969 after successful firing tests. This system is composed by a Decca surveillance doppler radar, an IFF, a radar transmitter-receiver, an engagement zone selector, an optical tracker and the 4 missiles. It entered service in 1974 and since then has been modified and improved becoming a vital part of the British air defense and will remain in service at least until 2020.

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