Surface-to-surface missiles of the United States

Surface-to-surface missiles of the United States
Name	Surface-to-surface missiles
Origin	United States
Used by	United States Armed Forces

Surface-to-surface missiles of the United States are a diverse family of guided weapons launched from land or sea platforms to strike targets on land or at sea. Their development has been a cornerstone of American military strategy since the closing days of World War II, driven by technological competition during the Cold War and evolving modern warfare requirements. These systems range from short-range tactical weapons to intercontinental strategic missiles, forming critical components of the nation's conventional and nuclear deterrent forces.

History and development

The genesis of American surface-to-surface missiles can be traced to captured German V-2 technology and programs like Project Hermes in the late 1940s. The Cold War and the launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union triggered a massive acceleration in missile development, leading to the creation of the United States Army's Redstone Arsenal and the establishment of the United States Air Force's Ballistic Missile Division. Pioneering figures like Wernher von Braun at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency were instrumental in early programs such as the PGM-11 Redstone and PGM-19 Jupiter. This era saw the rapid fielding of first-generation systems like the SM-65 Atlas and LGM-30 Minuteman, solidifying the strategic nuclear triad. Subsequent decades focused on improving accuracy, survivability, and developing conventional precision-strike capabilities, exemplified by programs managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Categories and types

American surface-to-surface missiles are broadly categorized by range, role, and basing. Strategic missiles include Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles like the LGM-30G Minuteman III and submarine-launched ballistic missiles such as the UGM-133 Trident II. Theater and tactical systems encompass a wide array, including the Army Tactical Missile System, the BGM-109 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile, and anti-ship missiles like the RGM-84 Harpoon. Other types include short-range ballistic missiles (e.g., MGM-140 ATACMS), man-portable anti-tank guided missiles like the FGM-148 Javelin, and coastal defense systems. Launch platforms vary from fixed silos and mobile transporter-erector-launchers to naval vessels and ground vehicles.

Operational systems

Key operational land-based systems include the LGM-30G Minuteman III, maintained by the United States Strategic Command and operated by the Air Force Global Strike Command from bases like Malmstrom Air Force Base. The ground-launched MGM-140 ATACMS is fired from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System and M142 HIMARS. The United States Navy and United States Marine Corps deploy the RGM-184A NSM and the ship-launched variant of the Tomahawk. The FGM-148 Javelin, fielded by the United States Army and United States Marine Corps, is a premier fire-and-forget anti-tank weapon. The hypersonic Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon is under development by the United States Army and United States Navy.

Former and retired systems

Numerous historic systems have been retired following arms control treaties or technological obsolescence. These include early ICBMs like the LGM-25C Titan II and the LGM-118 Peacekeeper. The ground-launched BGM-109G Gryphon was eliminated under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. The MGM-31 Pershing and MGM-52 Lance were key theater nuclear missiles of the Cold War. The United States Navy retired the RIM-2 Terrier in its surface-to-surface role, and the U.S. Army phased out the MGM-18 Lacrosse and the nuclear-capable MGR-1 Honest John rocket.

Technical characteristics

These missiles employ diverse propulsion systems, including solid-fuel rocket motors for quick reaction and liquid-fuel or turbofan engines for cruise missiles. Guidance technologies have evolved from inertial navigation to incorporate Global Positioning System updates, TERCOM, and terminal seekers using imaging infrared or millimeter-wave radar. Warheads can be unitary high-explosive, submunition-dispensing, or nuclear, with yields ranging from tactical levels to thermonuclear. Advanced materials and stealth shaping are used in systems like the AGM-158B JASSM-ER to enhance survivability. Emerging hypersonic systems like the AGM-183 ARRW utilize boost-glide vehicles for high-speed maneuverability.

Deployment and doctrine

Deployment is tailored to strategic roles; ICBMs are based in hardened silos across F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Malmstrom Air Force Base, and Minot Air Force Base. Theater systems are forward-deployed with allied forces in regions like Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Naval vessels, including Ohio-class submarines and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, provide global strike and deterrence patrols. Operational control is divided among the United States Strategic Command for strategic forces and geographic combatant commands like United States Indo-Pacific Command for theater assets. Doctrine integrates these missiles into broader joint operations for deep strike, sea denial, and strategic deterrence, as outlined in documents like the National Defense Strategy.

Category:Surface-to-surface missiles of the United States Category:Missiles of the United States