TRACKED RAPIER

In the early 70’s the Shah of Iran requested a self-propelled version of the Rapier SAM missile to be used on the battlefield. British Aerospace then decided to adapt the missile launcher to be mounted on a M-548 tracked carrier, giving rise to the Tracked Rapier system. In August 1974, the tests of the new vehicle started, but after the fall of the Shah’s Government in 1979, Iran canceled all arms contracts with the West, leaving BAe systems with a finished and unsold system. Fortunately in 1981 the British Ministry of Defense placed an order for 50 Tracked Rapier systems, which did not arrive in time to participate in the Falklands War of 1982 as the towed version did, quite effectively by the way. The Tracked Rapier mounted eight missiles in two blocks of four cells on each side of the radar, installed in the rear part of the vehicle, which was armoured and is protected from splinters and 7.62mm rounds. As far as the missiles and control equipment are concerned, they are the same as in the towed version, although mounted in different positions.

TRACKED RAPIER gallery and more info