Missile
From Command and Conquer Wiki
| “ | Launch it! - Pitbull firing missiles | ” |
A missile is a self-propelled, explosive projectile used as a weapon. All human factions have used them, in various ways. Since the Great World War II, missile systems utilize guidance packages to increase accuracy; though the sophistication of a guidance package has varied with the type and range of missile.
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[edit] Ballistic Missiles
A ballistic missile is a multi-stage, sub-orbital missile system first pioneered in Germany, though first used in combat by the Soviet Union. The missile is only guided by programming during the initial powered launch phase, and is governed by the laws of astrodynamics and ballistics during reentry. The Soviets used V2 missiles in lieu of artillery, and used ballistic missiles in their missile submarine, rivalling the range and power of the Allied Cruiser. The GDI navy uses ballistic missile systems aboard their battleships The Soviet Union and the Brotherhood of Nod have also used ICBMs, extremely long-range ballistic missiles, as a delivery system for nuclear weaponry.
[edit] Non-Ballistic Naval Missiles
Naval vessels may also mount non-ballistic missiles. The Allied Naval Mainstay, the destroyer, boasted a guided missile system; capable of destroying both surface and aerial targets. Later GDI gunboats sported a similar weapons system. Additionally, the battleships used by Nod have missile launch tubes at the bow; these are presumably for long-range cruise missiles. Cruise missiles, unlike ballistic missiles, are guided from launch until impact, and fly at low altitudes. Torpedos, such as those launched by Submarines, could be considered missiles, as they are self-propelled explosive weapons, except they operate underwater. The Missile Sub will fire destructive missiles at land targets.
[edit] Aircraft-Launched Missiles
| “ | Release the rockets! - Orca Gunship | ” |
An air-to-ground, or AG missile, is a guided weapon launched by an aircraft, at a target on the ground. Allied AH-64 Apaches, Soviet MiG-29s, and the GDI ORCA Assault Craft, Orca Fighter, and Orca Gunship have all used air-to-ground ordinance. An air-to-air missile is designed primarily to attack aircraft. First Tiberium War fighters, such as the F-22 Raptor or YF-23 Black Widow, and newer jets, such as the Firehawk, have mounted air-to-air ordinance.
[edit] Vehicle-Launched missiles
| “ | Get the rockets ready! - Stealth Tank | ” |
Missiles can be launched from ground vehicles as well, with a variety of purposes. Rocket artillery, such as the M270 MLRS or SSM variant used by Nod, are used in place of traditional artillery. Other mobile missile launchers, such as those used on the mantis, Pitbulls, stealth tank, or hover MLRS were primarily anti-armor or anti-aircraft support weapons. Mammoth tanks of all generations have also sported guided missiles, often nicknamed the "mammoth tusks".
[edit] Infantry-Scale Missiles
| “ | Rockets! - Militant Rocket Squad | ” |
The rocket infantry, missile squads, and militant rocket squads all carry guided missile launchers as well. Cheap and vulnerable, these soldiers' primary purpose is to suppress enemy tanks or provide an economic air defence; their anti-infantry capability is often null. However, as they are cheap to deploy and powerful en masse, they can provide a cost-effective defense against enemy air power or armor. During the First Tiberium War, the Rocket launcher was considered the "ultimate anti-vehicle tool" and was more effective against aircraft, especially transport helicopters but that model of missile launcher do not carried guided missiles.
[edit] Base-Defense Missiles
Missiles have been used as static defense systems as well. Surface-to-Air Batteries in use for decades by both the USSR and Nod, are a reliable anti-aircraft defense. The GDI Advanced guard tower utilized powerful missiles that could destroy almost any target. Later, the GDI component tower had two missile upgrades; the SAM Upgrade was a powerful anti-air defense, while the RPG Upgrade was able to hold Nod armor at bay.
