Dataset & downloads
The WeaponSpecs dataset
Behind the website is a structured, normalized specification database for 1140+ defense systems from 200+ manufacturers across 42 countries. The full snapshot is free to download, CC BY 4.0, attribution required.
JSON
The same 1143 records as nested JSON, this is the raw index that also powers the site's own search and compare tools.
View JSON →Data dictionary
An empty cell means the figure is not publicly published, never zero. Array fields (e.g. guidance) are
semicolon-separated. The file is UTF-8 with a byte-order mark, use encoding="utf-8-sig" in pandas.
Identity
| slug | Unique identifier for this system, matches the URL path. |
|---|---|
| model | Model name/designation. |
| brand | Manufacturer identifier. |
| brandName | Manufacturer display name. |
| systemType | Category, e.g. fighter, tank, missile, warship. |
| category | Broad domain: air, land, naval, infantry, multi-domain or software. |
| countryOfOrigin | Country that developed/manufactures the system. |
| status | active, legacy, announced or discontinued. |
| releaseYear | Year first fielded/announced. |
| pageUrl | Canonical WeaponSpecs page for this system, the citation target. |
| sourceUrl | The public manufacturer/reference URL this record was sourced from, where published. |
| lastUpdated | Date this record was last edited (YYYY-MM-DD). |
| completenessPct | Share of tracked spec fields this record has published data for. |
Performance
| performance.maxSpeedKmh(km/h) | Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. |
|---|---|
| performance.maxSpeedMach(Mach) | Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters. |
| performance.cruiseSpeedKmh(km/h) | Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station. |
| performance.rangeKm(km) | Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. |
| performance.combatRadiusKm(km) | Distance an aircraft can fly, complete its mission and return without refueling. Roughly a third of ferry range. |
| performance.serviceCeilingM(m) | Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon. |
| performance.enduranceH(h) | Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms, higher means longer persistent coverage. |
| performance.effectiveRangeM(m) | Distance at which the weapon reliably hits point targets. Higher extends engagement envelope. |
| performance.rateOfFireRpm(rpm) | Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. |
| performance.muzzleVelocityMs(m/s) | Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. |
| performance.engagementRangeKm(km) | Maximum distance at which an air-defense system can intercept targets. Higher covers more airspace. |
| performance.simultaneousTargets | Number of targets the system can engage at once. Higher resists saturation attacks. |
Firepower
| firepower.mainArmament | Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. |
|---|---|
| firepower.hardpoints | External stations for weapons and pods. More means bigger and more flexible loadouts. |
| firepower.weaponsPayloadKg(kg) | Maximum ordnance weight the platform can carry. Higher means more strike capacity per sortie. |
| firepower.warheadKg(kg) | Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. |
| firepower.guidance | How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. |
| firepower.maxFiringRangeKm(km) | Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach. |
| firepower.vlsCells | Vertical-launch missile cells on a warship, a proxy for magazine depth. Higher means more missiles before rearming. |
| firepower.torpedoTubes | Number of torpedo tubes (submarines and some surface ships). |
Protection
| protection.armorType | Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified. |
|---|---|
| protection.activeProtectionSystem | Hard-kill APS (Trophy, Arena, Afganit) intercepts incoming projectiles before impact. |
| protection.stealthFeatures | Radar cross-section shaping, RAM coatings, IR suppression. Actual RCS values are classified. |
Physical
| physical.lengthM(m) | Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. |
|---|---|
| physical.widthM(m) | Overall width, matters for rail/road transport of vehicles. |
| physical.heightM(m) | Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles. |
| physical.wingspanM(m) | Wingtip-to-wingtip span. |
| physical.emptyWeightKg(kg) | Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew. |
| physical.combatWeightKg(kg) | Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. |
| physical.crew | Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. |
| physical.cargoPayloadKg(kg) | Maximum cargo the transport can carry. Higher means more lift per sortie. |
| physical.troopCapacity | Number of embarked troops/passengers (IFV, APC, transport). Higher carries more. |
Propulsion
| propulsion.engine | Powerplant model and type. |
|---|---|
| propulsion.powerHp(hp) | Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster. |
| propulsion.thrustKn(kN) | Total engine thrust (with afterburner where applicable). |
| propulsion.propulsionType | Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… |
Naval
| naval.displacementTons(t) | Standard displacement in tonnes, the ship’s size class. Larger hulls carry more but cost more and are less agile. |
|---|---|
| naval.fullLoadDisplacementTons(t) | Displacement fully loaded with fuel, stores and munitions. |
| naval.speedKnots(kn) | Top speed in knots (surfaced, for submarines). Higher aids positioning and screening. |
| naval.submergedSpeedKnots(kn) | Maximum speed while submerged (submarines). Higher is faster underwater. |
| naval.rangeNm(nmi) | Cruising range in nautical miles. Nuclear vessels are effectively unlimited (fuel-wise). Higher means more reach without replenishment. |
| naval.testDepthM(m) | Maximum rated diving depth (submarines). Deeper is harder to detect and engage. Actual crush depth is classified. |
| naval.complement | Crew size. Fewer eases manning cost; more may indicate a larger, more capable platform. |
| naval.aircraftCarried | Embarked aircraft/helicopters. Higher extends the ship’s sensor and strike reach. |
Sensors & avionics
| sensors.radar | Primary radar. AESA (active electronically scanned array) is the current state of the art. |
|---|---|
| sensors.radarRangeKm(km) | Published detection range against a typical fighter-sized target. Higher sees first. |
Munition
| firepower.caliberMm(mm) | Bore diameter the round is fired from. |
|---|---|
| munition.roundType | APFSDS (kinetic sabot), HEAT / multipurpose, HE-FRAG, canister or gun-launched ATGM. |
| munition.penetrationMm(mm RHA) | Published/estimated rolled-homogeneous-armour-equivalent penetration. Values are open-source estimates; real figures are classified. |
Program
| commercial.unitCostUSD(USD) | Approximate flyaway/unit cost where public. Defense pricing varies hugely by contract, offsets and configuration. Lower is cheaper. |
|---|---|
| commercial.unitsBuilt | Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. |
| commercial.operators | Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. |
Coverage by system type
Licence & attribution
The CSV and JSON exports on this page are published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0). You may download, redistribute and build on this data, including commercially, provided you credit WeaponSpecs. A dofollow link back to this page is appreciated but not required.
Data: WeaponSpecs (weaponspecs.com), CC BY 4.0
This licence covers the compilation, schema and completeness scoring in these two export files only, not the rest of the site, its articles, images or brand marks. The data is compiled exclusively from public manufacturer, government and reference sources, never classified or leaked information. Published figures, especially from state manufacturers, are marketing or claimed values as often as tested ones; the dataset preserves that distinction rather than laundering claims into facts. See Methodology for the full sourcing standard.
Cite this dataset
APA
WeaponSpecs. (2026). WeaponSpecs defense systems dataset [Data set]. https://www.weaponspecs.com/data/
BibTeX
@misc{weaponspecs2026dataset,
author = {WeaponSpecs},
title = {WeaponSpecs Defense Systems Dataset},
year = {2026},
url = {https://www.weaponspecs.com/data/},
note = {CC BY 4.0. Accessed: \today}
} Original analysis from this dataset
Recent database-driven pieces, each built on a real cut across the full catalogue.
- What 'Simultaneous Targets' Means on a SAM Spec Sheet
- 155mm Dominates Artillery Calibers, Not Interoperability
- UAV Payload vs. Range: Why the Two Don't Scale Together
- Why a Guided Missile Beats Every Tank Round on Paper
- Zumwalt Carries a Third of a Burke's Crew Per Ton
- IFV Autocannon Caliber: Why 30mm Isn't a Real Standard
- 20 of 20: Every 125mm Tank Gun Can Fire a Missile
- Radar Range vs. Engagement Range in Air Defense
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