Rapier is a surface-to-air missile developed for the British Army to replace their towed Bofors 40/L70 anti-aircraft guns. The system is unusual as it uses a manual optical guidance system, sending guidance commands to the missile in flight over a radio link. This results in a high level of accuracy, therefore a large warhead is not required.
A Swiss Air Force Rapier SAM installation with the detached generator set sited approximately 20 metres from the launcher. Fuel is being supplied to the generator from one of the three jerrycans grouped adjacent to it (one in use and two spare).
A Rapier FSC Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) system at Blackheath, London on 2 May 2012
A Republic of Singapore Air Force Rapier SAM system
Blindfire radar unit
A surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as a ground-to-air missile (GTAM) or surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW), is a missile designed to be launched from the ground or the sea to destroy aircraft or other missiles. It is one type of anti-aircraft system; in modern armed forces, missiles have replaced most other forms of dedicated anti-aircraft weapons, with anti-aircraft guns pushed into specialized roles.
A pair of S-300 missiles being launched
A Wasserfall missile lifts off during a test flight.
Nike Ajax was the first operational SAM system.
SA-2 Guideline surface-to-air missiles, one of the most widely deployed SAM systems in the world
