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The Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM) Launcher was a Nod mobile surface-to-surface missile system used in the First Tiberium War.

Background[]

The SSM is Nod's longest-ranged unit, able to fire on the enemy from a great distance. Its napalm rounds are useful at cracking through tough base defenses without any worry of retaliation. Infantry in a large group will also suffer from its high area of effect. The reload rate on this unit is extremely long, requiring other units to protect it during its lag-time.
- Tiberian Dawn manual(src)

Using the successful MLRS frame, replacing the rocket pods with two large 'Honest John' missiles on special launching racks, the SSM Launcher is a mobile surface-to-surface missile system that can deal massive damage to infantry and structures from extreme range, supplementing Nod's conventional artillery.

Curiously, access to the SSM Launcher requires an Obelisk of Light to be deployed. It is the only unit to have a base defense structure as a tech requirement.

SSM Launchers were phased out by the time the Second Tiberium War began while Nod's conventional artillery had greatly advanced.

Game unit[]

The most important quality of these launchers is their extreme range. Their missiles have significantly more range than both the Obelisk of Light and Advanced Guard Tower, and could thus be used to slowly wear down an enemy's defenses. They also outrange GDI's MLRS, allowing SSM Launchers to deliver counter-battery fire against enemy artillery from outside their range.

With one exception, players are given access to the SSM Launcher only in multiplayer. While The Covert Operations expansion pack features missions with Chemical Warriors and Apaches, there are no missions where one starts with or can build an SSM Launcher, though the Nod AI player does regularly builds and uses them. The only singleplayer mission where it can be built is the fourth dinosaur campaign mission if Nod is the player's chosen side.

Trivia[]

  • The SSM Launcher's obscurity is referenced in the intro of the N64 version of Command & Conquer, in which one of the lines during the EVA installation intro's "Armament History" section is "SSM Launcher... SSM Launcher Deleted".
  • The Tiberian Dawn manual lists the Temple of Nod as a tech requirement for the SSM Launcher. This is incorrect, as only an Obelisk of Light is required to gain access to SSM Launchers.
  • The German name of the SSM Launcher is "rocket launcher" (ger. Raketenwerfer), while the unit which bears this name in the original version is called "hailstorm of steel" (ger. Stahlhagel).

Gallery[]

Cameos[]

DOS English Textless
TD DOS SSMLauncher icon TD SSM Launcher Icons TD SSMLauncher EU cameo

See also[]

CNCR NodLogo Brotherhood of Nod First Tiberium War Arsenal CNCR NodLogo
Sole Survivor Cover Command & Conquer: Sole Survivor Arsenal Sole Survivor Cover
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