Difference between revisions of "Missile classifications"

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Missile systems, in the meaning given in [[Missile missile]], have been classified based on a wide variety of properties, including: flight path type, range, launching platform, propulsion, warhead, and guidance system.
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Missile systems, in the meaning given in [[Missile|missile]], have been classified based on a wide variety of properties, including: flight path type, range, launching platform, propulsion, warhead, and guidance system.
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__TOC__
   
 
== Flight path type ==
 
== Flight path type ==
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{|
 
{|
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|+ Range classes based on Wilson Dunham 2020<ref>https://csps.aerospace.org/sites/default/files/2021-08/Wilson-Dunham_MissileThreat_20200826_0.pdf</ref>
|+ Range classes
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Class Name !! Distance interval
 
! Class Name !! Distance interval
 
|-
 
|-
| align=left width=60px | Close Range Missile
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| align=left width=180px | Close Range
 
| align=center | 30 km to 300 km
 
| align=center | 30 km to 300 km
 
|-
 
|-
| align=left | Short Range Missile
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| align=left | Short Range
 
| align=center | 300 km to 1000 km
 
| align=center | 300 km to 1000 km
 
|-
 
|-
| align=left | Medium Range Missile
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| align=left | Medium Range
 
| align=center | 1000 km to 3000 km
 
| align=center | 1000 km to 3000 km
 
|-
 
|-
| align=left | Intermediate Range Missile
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| align=left | Intermediate Range
 
| align=center | 3000 km to 5500 km
 
| align=center | 3000 km to 5500 km
 
|-
 
|-
| align=left | Intercontinental range Missile
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| align=left | Intercontinental Range
| align=center | 5500 km to 40 000 km
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| align=center | 5500 km to 20 000 km
 
|}
 
|}
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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.
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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 (Fractional Orbital Bombardment System)|FOBS]].
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[[Category:Classifications]]
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== References ==

Latest revision as of 16:59, 17 November 2022

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?

Range classes based on Wilson Dunham 2020[1]
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.

References