Missile

A missile is an airborne ranged weapon capable of self-propelled flight aided usually by a propellant, jet engine or rocket motor.

[1] Historically, 'missile' referred to any projectile that is thrown, shot or propelled towards a target; this usage is still recognized today with any unguided jet- or rocket-propelled weapons generally described as rocket artillery.

Airborne explosive devices without propulsion are referred to as shells if fired by an artillery piece and bombs if dropped by an aircraft.

[7] Less well known were a series of anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, typically based on a simple radio control (command guidance) system directed by the operator.

Though not legally binding, more than 140 countries have been part of these agreements, and provide prior information on missile programs, expected launches, and tests.

As the source is located outside, the launch vehicle needs to continue supporting the missile till it is guided to the intended target.

[20] Missiles are powered by propellants igniting to produce thrust and might employ types of rocket or jet engines.

[23] Jet engines are generally used in cruise missiles, most commonly of the turbojet type, because of their relative simplicity and low frontal area while turbofans and ramjets can also be theoretically used.

[citation needed] Warheads are most commonly of the high explosive type, often employing shaped charges to exploit the accuracy of a guided weapon to destroy hardened targets.

[28] Missiles can be classified into categories by various parameters such as type, launch platform and target, range, propulsion and guidance system.

[32] A ballistic missile is powered by single or multiple rockets in stages initially before following an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target.

[36] It is designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high precision and are propelled by jet engines.

It flies at lower speeds (often subsonic or supersonic) and close to the surface of the Earth, which expends more fuel but makes it difficult to detect.

[32] Missiles might be also be classified basis launch platform and target into surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, air-to-air, air-to-surface, anti-ship and anti-tank.

Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea skimming variety, and many use a combination of inertial guidance and active radar homing.

ATGMs range in size from shoulder-launched weapons, which can be transported by a single soldier, to larger tripod-mounted or vehicle and aircraft mounted missile systems.

SAMs frequently use solid-propellants and may be guided by radar or infrared sensors or by a human operator using optical tracking.

They are often powered by a rocket engine or sometimes fired by an explosive charge, since the launching platform is typically stationary or moving slowly.