Missile weapon

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Missile weapons are self-propelled unmanned military missiles that are equipped with warheads or that have a destructive effect due to their kinetic energy . A distinction is made between the ground-to-ground , ground-to-air , air-ground and air-to-air missiles . Most of them have a target acquisition system, but not ballistic missiles .

Classification

The classification below is based on Bill Gunston's encyclopedia of missile guided missiles .

Ground-to-ground guided missiles / tactical land

Tactical surface -to- surface guided missiles are used like artillery. Steering ability is heavily dependent on the technology used. As early as 1916, the first guided missiles of this type, the air torpedo “Buck AT” (developed by Dr. FW Buck, Flagler, Colorado) with compass control were used.

Ground-to-surface missile / strategic land

A surface-to-surface missile is a missile that is fired from the ground at ground targets.

Surface-to-surface missile / tactical sea

Although classified as a surface-to-surface missile, the addition “tactical sea” indicates that these missiles are launched from ships. An anti- ship missile is a flying, dirigible weapon used to combat ships or other maritime targets. The term anti-ship missile refers to the missile- propelled missile used on most models. Anti-ship missiles are nowadays equipped with rocket propulsion or jet engines of various designs or with combined propulsion systems.

Surface-to-surface missile / strategic sea

Although classified as a surface-to-surface missile, the addition “strategic sea” indicates that these missiles are launched from submarines. The exceptions are SS-N-9 Siren and SS-N-12 Sandbox , which can be launched from both submarines and ships. A submarine-launched ballistic missile ("SLBM", German designation: U-Boot-supported ballistic missile) is a ballistic missile of various possible ranges that is fired from submerged submarines ( SSBN ). It is usually equipped with multiple nuclear warheads .


Air-to-ground missile / tactical

Air-to-surface missile is the name for self-propelled ammunition of short to medium range, which is used by combat aircraft and attack helicopters against ground and sea targets. A distinction can be made between guided missiles and unguided rockets .

Air-to-ground missile / strategic

A cruise missile or engl. Cruise Missile is an unmanned guided missile with a warhead that steers itself to the target.

Anti-aircraft missile / land

An anti-aircraft missile ( FlaRak for short ), or surface-to -air missile , SAM (Surface to Air Missile), is a military missile for combating air targets from the surface of the earth, from the ground. A large number of designs and types have been developed, which differ in terms of purpose, range and technology.

Anti-aircraft missile / sea

An anti-aircraft missile ( FlaRak for short ), or surface-to -air missile , SAM (Surface to Air Missile), is a military missile for combating air targets from the surface of the earth, from the water. A large number of designs and types have been developed, which differ in terms of purpose, range and technology.

Air-to-air missile

An air-to-air missile is a missile with a rocket motor that is used as a weapon in aerial combat . The name says that it is fired in the air to hit targets in the air.

Anti-tank missiles

Anti-tank guided weapons can be used as air-to-ground weapons in addition to ground-to-ground use. The anti-tank guided missile is a missile that is used to combat tanks and is directed at the target in flight. It is to be distinguished from unguided, reactive anti-tank weapons such as the bazooka or RPG-7 . Another name is antitank guided missile - PALR, English and Anti-Tank Guided Missile - ATGM or Anti-Tank Guided Weapon - ATGW.

Anti-submarine defense

Anti-submarine missiles such as “Malafon”, “Ikara”, “Terne”, SS-N-14 Silex , SS-N-16 Stallion , “RAT”, “Petrel” are used by ships or aircraft to combat submarines. , “Grebe”, UUM-44 Subroc and ASROC were used.

Abbreviations

  • Air-Launched Cruise Missile ( ALCM )
  • Land-Launched Cruise Missile ( GLCM )
  • Sea-Launched Cruise Missile ( SLCM )
  • Cruise missiles against land targets - Land-Attack Cruise Missile ( LACM )
  • Cruise missiles against ship targets - Anti-Ship Cruise Missile ( ASCM )

List overview

See also

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Bill Gunston The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Missile Guided Missiles