Missile
From Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki.
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Projectile Explosive |
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Various |
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Missile, also called ordinance, was a catch-all term for a type of projectile weapon. Many types of missiles were loaded on and fired from various starships, including many types of capital ships and starfighters. Other types of missiles were utilized by ground vehicles. Though the most common type of missile employed by ground forces were ones capable of being launched by shoulder-fired missile launchers. A single soldier, or a pair of soldiers, were capable of loading and firing the weapon.
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Characteristics and Description
The typical missile was a ranged weapon that carried its own propellant fuel, enabling it to reach a target independent of the power source from which it was launched. Basic missiles dated from the earliest years of recorded warfare, developed from basic rockets. Most weapons of this type contained a guidance system, which allowed them to be locked onto a specific target, which the missile would then attempt to home in on. Size ranged from small "chip" missiles that could be fired from a man-portable device and were typically used against ground vehicles, to capital ship-grade warheads that could devastate enemy war vessels or planetary surfaces.
Missiles normally had armor and sometimes a shield. They were generally cylinder shaped, so they could penetrate capital ship and starfighter shields.[1]
Function & Usage
Countermeasures
History
Mandalorian Wars
Battle of Serroco
During the Battle of Serroco, circa 3,963 BBY. The Mandalorian Fleet launcher over two dozen nuclear missiles towards the Republic Navy forces protecting the planet of Serroco. Instead of striking the Republic task force, the missiles circumvented the fleet and directly targeted Serroco's surface. One by one, the missiles stroke at various points on the planet's surface and detonated. Destroying entire cities and inflicting heavy casualties onto the Republic ground forces stationed on the planet.
Great Galactic War
Battle of Balmorra
During the Great Galactic War. Missiles were often employed by various starfighters to carry out air-strikes against the many different factories that dotted Balmorra's surface. The constant bombings have left the planet's surface permanently scarred.
Terrorist Group(s)/Attack(s)
In 27 BBY, a terrorist group tried to use a home-made missile to assassinate Passel Argente on the planet Bartokk. However, their plan was thwarted by Jorus C'baoth, who used the Force to stop the missile from reaching it's target.[2]
Clone Wars
Battle of Muunilinst
Missiles were used during the Clone Wars, notably during the Battle of Muunilinst. Anakin Skywalker had the Clone pilots under his command fire their missiles into empty space and he lured a number of Separatist ships that were pursuing him into the path of them.[3]
Battle of Coruscant (Clone Wars)
During the Battle of Courscant, Discord missiles were fired apon Obi-Wan Kenobi's and Anakin Skywalker's Jedi starfighters, despite the homing systems Anakin managed to evade the missiles fired at his starfighter. Obi-Wan, however, was hit, the missiles flew in-front of his ship and then exploded, releasing Buzz droids which then set about destroying his starfighter.[4] These missiles had homing systems.
Galactic Civil War
Battle of Hoth
During the Battle of Hoth, man portable missile tubes were used by both the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire. These anti-armour missiles employed guidance systems which would pursue their asigned target with exceptional performance for any guided missile. These advanced onboard guidence systems allowed for shock and vanguard troopers to quickly acquirer a target and fire the missile. Then allowing them to move to a new position and reload.[5][6]
Battle of Endor
In 4 ABY, during the climatic battle over the forest moon of Endor. After the fall of the planetary shield that protected the second Death Star. A group of Rebel snubfighters, along with the Milennium Falcon, entired the massive station's superstructure and approached the main reactor that powered the station. With two well timed volleys of proton torpedos and concussion missiles from Wedge Antilles and Lando Calrissian. Destroying the main reactor and causing a chain reaction that would the entire station.
Second Galactic Civil War
Mission to Adumar
An illegal company, Dammant Killers, was producing missiles from a factory on Adumar. In 40 ABY, Jacen Solo and Ben Skywalker went on a mission to uncover the factory.[7]
Types of Missiles
Carbonite Missiles
Carbonite missiles were used by the Zann Consortium sometimes. They were used to slow people or units down. The M.A.L. could switch to Carbonite Missiles and regular explosive missiles in a matter of time.[8] The M.A.L. was made by Merr-Sonn Munitions.
Concussion missile
Concussion missiles were generally short-range, anti-vehicle missiles produced by many manufacturers, most notably Dymek. Some types though more expensive concussion missiles were capable of sustained propulsion over a long distance, such remote controlled missiles featured on some models of AT-ST and Landing Craft [9] , almost like a Corvette. The Venator-class Star Destroyer was capable of firing Concussion missiles. as well as all missile capable Tie Fighters[10].
Cruise missile
A Wikipedia:cruise missile is a long range missile capable of being fired from ground platforms or other types of specialized vehicle platforms. Typicly a cruise missile is the step after long range missile and below an wikipedia:ICBM. Cruise missiles were high-powered missiles capable of homing in on a target. A pirate named Nym was known to have these on his personal starfighter.
Discord Missile
Discord Missiles delivered Buzz droids to their targets during the Clone Wars.
Hex missile
Hex missiles had a special warhead containing a payload of the hex weapon Trihexalon. Hex missiles were launched from Hex Deployers.
Intruder missile
Intruder missiles were designed by Slayn & Korpil for the Rebel Alliance. The missile was designed to overload the shield generators on large ships, causing them to explode and damage the rest of the ship.
Nano missile
Nano missiles were small missiles that could be sensor-guided to a target. The Guardian Mantis was known to be equipped with these missiles.
Rockets
A rocket was a type of missile. During Jaden Korr's campaign against the Disciples of Ragnos he often used rocket launchers or a PLX-2M portable missile launcher made by Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc. Rocket launchers were very similar to missile launchers, similar in shape and used for the same purpose: to launch missiles.[11]
Behind the Scenes
Appearances
Sources
- The Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections
