Missile classifications
Missile systems, in the meaning given in missile, have been classified based on a wide variety of properties, including: flight path type, range, launching platform, propulsion, warhead, and guidance system.
Flight path type
This is really if the weapon payload mainly follows a ballistic arc or not. Consequently there are only two categories:
- Ballistic missiles
- Cruise missiles
The name "cruise missile" is a historical artefact, invented much after the term ballistic missile was established.
As weapon technology developed it has become more common for the weapon payload to perform significant manoeuvrers during its flight, in practice living in a mix between the two classes.
Range
The simplest and most intuitive classification system: How far can the weapon payload go?
| Class Name | Distance interval |
|---|---|
| Close Range | 30 km to 300 km |
| Short Range | 300 km to 1000 km |
| Medium Range | 1000 km to 3000 km |
| Intermediate Range | 3000 km to 5500 km |
| Intercontinental Range | 5500 km to 20 000 km |
Note that the lower limit of the Close Range class and the upper limit on the Intercontinental Range class are frequently not stated but they probably exist in practice.
For example, a maximum range of 30 km means the missile is competing with conventional tube artillery, which is qualitatively different than a missile that can reach much further than conventional artillery. Similarly, if the missile can go much further than halfway around the world, it can attack the same target from two opposite directions and it is likely people will classify it as some sort of FOBS.