warhead
Destructive missile tip
A warhead is the explosive front section of a missile, torpedo, or other projectile—the part designed to detonate on impact or proximity.
Warheads may carry conventional explosives, chemical agents, or nuclear material.
The term appears most often in discussions of military weapons systems: nuclear warheads, The missile can carry multiple warheads.
Nuclear breakup releasing energy
- fusionJoining into unity
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
yield · megaton · kiloton · critical mass · chain reaction · enrichment · isotope · radioactivity
Carried freight or charge
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- reentryComing back in
- ICBMOcean-spanning nuclear delivery system
ballistic · cruise · intercontinental · propulsion · nose cone · delivery system · Trident · midcourse
Prone to sudden detonation
- detonationExplosive ignition event
- high-explosiveFast-detonating destructive substance
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- shrapnelScattered explosion fragments
shaped charge · blast · incendiary · armor-piercing · penetrator · fuze · primer · detonator
Providing with weapons
- fuzingInstalling detonation mechanisms
- detonatorExplosive initiation device
- triggerWhat initiates action
- casingEnclosing cover or frame
core · assembly · miniaturization · reliability · shelf life · maintenance · disassembly · inspection
fission
Nuclear breakup releasing energy
thermonuclear · yield · megaton · kiloton · critical mass · chain reaction · enrichment · isotope · radioactivity · fallout
payload
Carried freight or charge
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- reentryComing back in
ICBM · ballistic · cruise · intercontinental · propulsion · nose cone · delivery system · Trident · midcourse · accuracy
explosive
Prone to sudden detonation
- detonationExplosive ignition event
- high-explosiveFast-detonating destructive substance
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
shrapnel · shaped charge · blast · incendiary · armor-piercing · penetrator · fuze · primer · detonator · airburst
arming
Providing with weapons
- fuzingInstalling detonation mechanisms
- detonatorExplosive initiation device
- triggerWhat initiates action
casing · core · assembly · miniaturization · reliability · shelf life · maintenance · disassembly · inspection · certification
- Air Combatair strike, airstrikes, fighter pilot, bombing run, combat aircraft
- nuclear securitynon-proliferation, nonproliferation, weapons inspectors, nuclear facility, nuclear site
- Anti-tankanti-tank gun, RPG, bazooka, bazookas, javelin
- military equipmenttanks, assault rifle, missiles, grenade, submarines
- warfarebattle, combat, attack, armed conflict, military strategy
- weaponsknife, gun, sword, swords, rifle
warheadrocket motor
Combustion-driven spacecraft propulsion
booster · guidance system · fuselage · airframe · tail section
warheadcommunications equipment
Devices for exchanging information
weather sensor · space probe · medical supplies · communications satellite · weather satellite
warheadolive branch
Symbol of reconciliation
white flag · plowshare · humanitarian aid · diplomatic mission · relief effort
- nuclear warheadFission-based explosive device