Rapier (missile) - Combat History

Combat History

In April 1982, the original Rapier was deployed during the Falklands War when T Battery of the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery joined 3 Commando Brigade as part of the Falklands Task Force, landing at San Carlos on 21 May. 63 Squadron RAF Regiment also equipped with Rapier deployed from Gütersloh, Germany to San Carlos with 5 Brigade. After initially deploying at San Carlos and supporting T Battery, the Squadron moved to Stanley Airfield where they remained until September, thus becoming the longest serving unit on the islands. There were many siting issues which prevented Rapier from operating efficiently, which led to it not being particularly effective in terms of 'kills' but its presence acted as a deterrent. From an engineering perspective it is arguable that it was highly efficient, especially after the arrival of 63 Sqn engineers who maintained T Battery equipment. Early post-war reports were favourable, indicating 14 kills and 6 probables. Later analysis was less rosy, indicating as few as four enemy aircraft were downed. Only one Argentine aircraft, a Dagger A of FAA Grupo 6, can be confirmed as a Rapier kill, when Lt Bernhardt's aircraft was destroyed on the 29th May 1982. The pilot was killed. The other three, a A-4B Skyhawk of FAA Grupo 5 on 23 May & two A-4C Skyhawk of FAA Grupo 4 on 24 May and 25 May 1982, were subjected to the full force of the San Carlos Air Defences, with claims going to Sea Wolf, Sea Cat, Blowpipe and small arms, as well as T Battery.

"Within the total only five Argentine aircraft might have been shot down by Rapier, and, as originally noted by Ethell and Price, only one of these was certain, with two probables and two possibles. Similar discrepancies arose over other weapons systems, notably Blowpipe (one confirmed kill as against nine confirmed and two probables in the White Paper) and Sea Cat (zero to one against eight confirmed and two probables in the White Paper). This confirmation that MoD had exaggerated, however unwittingly, the capabilities of Rapier was deemed to be political dynamite. It was observed that if this assessment became publicly known it 'could have a serious adverse effects on sales' prospects for Rapier, which is the staple revenue-earner for BAe's Dynamic Group."

The main problems were a lack of range, and the decision to omit a proximity fuse, an attribute which required the operator to strike the target aircraft directly with the missile. Rapier also suffered with problems with the IFF system and suffered interference with RN radar.