What is Missile: Definition and 63 Discussions

In military terminology, a missile, also known as a guided missile or guided rocket, is a guided airborne ranged weapon capable of self-propelled flight usually by a jet engine or rocket motor. Missiles have five system components: targeting, guidance system, flight system, engine and warhead. Missiles come in types adapted for different purposes: surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missiles (ballistic, cruise, anti-ship, anti-tank, etc.), surface-to-air missiles (and anti-ballistic), air-to-air missiles, and anti-satellite weapons.
Airborne explosive devices without propulsion are referred to as shells if fired by an artillery piece and bombs if dropped by an aircraft. Unguided jet-propelled missiles are usually described as rocket artillery.
Historically, the word missile referred to any projectile that is thrown, shot or propelled towards a target; this usage is still recognized today.

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  1. J

    Solving Missile Movement Problem in 2D Game Development

    Hi, firstly, sorry about my bad english... I am an Spanish preuniversitary student who's programing a game in the style of "Worms" in 2D. My problem comes about a weapon that acts like a missile. I'll explain it (it's just an cinematic study, the game doesn't care about mass and dynamics). The...
  2. R

    News China destroys satellite with missile

    Freedom! Hurray! Our president is bringing us freedom! http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/19/world/asia/19china.html?hp&ex=1169182800&en=f9cca6749a53bb61&ei=5094&partner=homepage
  3. J

    News North Korea and its missile launches

    North Korea's thrown its seventh missile in the air. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5149512.stm None of them got very far. Heard that GWB has reassured the American people that there is not a threat. I thought this quite strange and thought - as there are a lot of US...
  4. B

    Understanding the Acceleration of Missiles in the Rifts Game System

    what is the physical meaning of missile has an accleration of 10% of light per turn. what is that acceleration in m/sec^2
  5. O

    The missile and aircraft the saga goes on

    Well, I am sorry to bother you again, but it seems that after solving my last problem nobody enters that topic anymore :rolleyes: I hope I won't get on moderators nerves here... Well, anyway. As one may remember, I asked about this question: an aircraft flights at height H with a constant...
  6. O

    What is the total flight time of a missile to intercept an aircraft?

    For two weeks I can't solve this question with my friends. Please help us! an aircraft flights at height H with a constant velocity U. When it passes right above the missile, the missile is fired with a constant velocity V (V>U), but the vector of the velocity of the missile points directly...
  7. U

    Nuclear Bomb & Missile Delivery: Urgent Help Needed

    Hi, as part of my third year degree in Maths I have to give a 10 minute oral presentation of the atom bomb :eek: . I'll start off by quickly giving a historical overview of the experiments that led up to the discovery of radioactivity and the model of the atom etc and then intend to focus on...
  8. Ivan Seeking

    News Canada Reveals Missile Defense Shield

    http://www.thetoque.com/050308/misssile_shield.htm
  9. B

    Exploring Other Historical Conflicts Relevant to the Cuban Missile Crisis

    Hi there, I am currently trying to write an essay on "Was the cuban missile crisis the closest the world ever came to nuclear war?" I was hoping you crazy cats could suggest other minor or major historical conflicts... I already have the Quemoy-Matsu crisis and the India-Pakistan ones...
  10. F

    News Martin will reject missile defence

    Martin will reject missile defence: report Last Updated Tue, 22 Feb 2005 22:53:34 EST CBC News OTTAWA - Prime Minister Paul Martin will reject Canadian participation in the U.S. missile defence program, CBC News has learned. Martin plans to announce in the House of Commons as early as...
  11. 1

    Build Your Own Cruise Missile For Less Than $5,000

    Build Your Own Cruise Missile For Less Than $5,000! You've just got to check out the above link. The thing is : Why would someone want a "Cruise Missile" ? Iraq comes popping into my head !
  12. T

    Ballistic Missile Defense: The $6 Billion Plan

    To Whom it May Concern: I have a concept that outlines a defense system that would protect the United States from a high percentage of ballistic missiles, whether such an assault was caused by an accidental launch, an act of terrorism or war. This concept is thought to be beyond what the...
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