guided missile
Self-correcting munition
A guided missile is a self-propelled weapon that can be steered toward its target after launch, typically using electronic systems, heat-seeking sensors, or remote control.
Unlike unguided projectiles that follow a fixed trajectory, guided missiles can adjust their flight path to track moving targets or navigate around obstacles.
They range from small shoulder-fired weapons to intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of traveling thousands of miles.
The ship's defense system detected the incoming guided missile.
Forceful impact or stoppage
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- sortieArmed raid outward
- salvoSimultaneous weapons discharge
barrage · tactical · strategic · deterrence · arsenal · battery · launcher · silo
Determining position and course
- homingSteering toward a target
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- targetingSelecting as objective
- trackingMonitoring location over time
lock-on · inertial · heat-seeking · infrared · seeker · midcourse · waypoint · course correction
Ocean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- surface-to-airGround-to-sky weaponry type
- air-to-airBetween flying craft
- anti-shipTargeting naval vessels
- StingerPortable surface-to-air missile
Javelin · Harpoon · THAAD · torpedo · interceptor · hypersonic · anti-tank
Carried freight or charge
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- nuclearOf atomic energy
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
incendiary · thermobaric · kinetic · detonation · yield · arming · fusing · impact
Combustion-driven spacecraft propulsion
- solid fuelBurnable material, not fluid
- liquid fuelFlowable combustion source
- boosterSomething that increases strength
- thrustForceful forward motion
exhaust · propellant · combustion · staging · burnout · acceleration · ignition · nozzle
strike
Forceful impact or stoppage
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- sortieArmed raid outward
salvo · barrage · tactical · strategic · deterrence · arsenal · battery · launcher · silo · installation
navigation
Determining position and course
- homingSteering toward a target
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- targetingSelecting as objective
tracking · lock-on · inertial · heat-seeking · infrared · seeker · midcourse · waypoint · course correction · flight path
ICBM
Ocean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- surface-to-airGround-to-sky weaponry type
- air-to-airBetween flying craft
- anti-shipTargeting naval vessels
Stinger · Javelin · Harpoon · THAAD · torpedo · interceptor · hypersonic · anti-tank
payload
Carried freight or charge
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- nuclearOf atomic energy
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
fragmentation · incendiary · thermobaric · kinetic · detonation · yield · arming · fusing · impact · airburst
rocket motor
Combustion-driven spacecraft propulsion
- solid fuelBurnable material, not fluid
- liquid fuelFlowable combustion source
- boosterSomething that increases strength
thrust · exhaust · propellant · combustion · staging · burnout · acceleration · ignition · nozzle · turbojet
- Navyadmiral, battleship, destroyer, aircraft carrier, cruiser
- MissilesICBM, Pershing, Lance, Hades, submarine-launched
- naval weaponstorpedo, naval guns, cannon, naval mines, gun turret
- projectilesbullet, bullets, arrow, rocket, rockets
- warshipsbattleship, turret, frigates, battleships, destroyers
- WWII inventionsradar, jeep, penicillin, atomic bomb, V-2 rocket
guided missiledumb bomb
Unguided aerial munition
gravity bomb · artillery shell · mortar round · bullet · cannonball
guide, guidance, guided, missile, guiding, misguided, guides, missiles, unguided