Discussion Difference between "rocket" and "missile"?

[ibex333]

Please correct me if I am wrong, I may very well be a dummy, but I always thought that a ROCKET, is an unguided projectile fired from a launcher, which will fly only as far as the propellant in it lasts and will land on whatever happens to be there when it reaches it's range, exploding/triggering the warhead due to impact. A sort of "rocket" was used by as far back as by he ancient Chinese when gunpowder was invented.

Example: A Russian "Kotusha" or a "Grad" MLRS which fires "dumb" rockets, compensating for horrible accuracy with sheer volume of projectiles fired. (saturating the area)

A MISSILE, on the other hand, is a relatively novel invention, which only came into play after World War II. Missiles are generally "guided" weapons, which contain sophisticated electronics, which communicate with "home base" and can be directed to their target with at least some precision.

Example: American TOW shoulder launched missile, which is guided, flying by a specific trajectory and lands on top of the tank with the idea of better penetration.

I have seen things such as arrows, and stones fired from a slingshot referred to in literature as "missiles", and I think that usage is incredibly misleading, especially considering how times have changed. Perhaps such term usage was relevant for a very long time, but I just don't see how it is correct to use it today.

Now my issue, is CNN and FOX news using the term "missile" to describe the recent so called "attacks" on American bases located in Iraq. Such a term implies Iran has already used fairly sophisticated weapons systems against United States assets located in Iraq. This sort of terminology is extremely powerful and dangerous. Much more dangerous than the actual weapons used, because such liberal use of terms can easily incite hate from the american public, and push the President to make a decision he will later regret.

While I have no doubt that Iran DOES possess missiles in their arsenal, I highly doubt they would ever use them against United States unless literally pushed against the wall. Further, based on the recent reports at least MOST, if not all, of those fired projectiles MISSED their mark. This clearly demonstrates that these probably weren't missiles, since missiles would not miss!

Please, go ahead and argue my points. I am all ears.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I always thought missiles were short-range while rockets typically are long range. But I think language tends to allow for great variances in usage.

 

[IronWing]

Iran develops, manufactures, deploys, and now has used sophisticated missiles. Iran's missiles hit their targets hundreds of miles from the launch sites. We know the missiles hit the target military bases. The missiles appear to have hit the specific buildings targeted though only the Iranians know if that is true.

 

[BoomerD]

I always thought missiles were short-range while rockets typically are long range. But I think language tends to allow for great variances in usage.

ICBM...InterContinental Ballistic Missile.

A missile is a guided rocket
A rocket is an unguided missile.

 

[IronWing]

ICBM...InterContinental Ballistic Missile.

A missile is a guided rocket
A rocket is an unguided missile.

That produces a recursive Venn diagram.

 

[zinfamous]

The rocket lives in your pocket while the missile hides in the thistle.

 

[OccamsToothbrush]

Now my issue, is CNN and FOX news using the term "missile" to describe the recent so called "attacks" on American bases located in Iraq. Such a term implies Iran has already used fairly sophisticated weapons systems against United States assets located in Iraq. This sort of terminology is extremely powerful and dangerous

Your issue is that you're whining about something you don't understand while CNN and Fox do understand. A rocket is essentially an unguided "dumb" weapon while a missile is a guided"smart" weapon. What Iran has and are using are modern guided MISSILES. Period. You have to wrap your brain around that simple fact. The media are using the term properly and accurately.

 

[randay]

rocket(engine) refers to the method of propulsion.
missile simply means it was a projectile of some sort.

To the layman a missile attack probably sounds worse than a rocket attack.

When deciding whether to report it as a missile attack or rocket attack, I believe they would classify it depending on what the actual projectile was called. Quick look on wikipedia will tell you more about the "missiles" used and the types of rocket propulsion involved.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

rocket(engine) refers to the method of propulsion.
missile simply means it was a projectile of some sort.

To the layman a missile attack probably sounds worse than a rocket attack.

When deciding whether to report it as a missile attack or rocket attack, I believe they would classify it depending on what the actual projectile was called. Quick look on wikipedia will tell you more about the "missiles" used and the types of rocket propulsion involved.

Context does matter. A big rock launched by a trebuchet is a missle, and a rocket is a firework which became a weapon invented by the chinese. Then we have rocket propulsion which provides the motive force for unguided explosive payloads and for guided missiles.

In modern terms a missile is a guided device propelled by rocket propulsion.

 

[JEDIYoda]

The difference between the word "rocket and missle" is the only letter they have in common is the letter "e"

 

[Zanovar]

Does anyone know how effective the katyushas rockets were in world war 2?.Damage wise etc,im guessing not much,they were pretty small.Sound terrifying at launch though.

 

[Zanovar]

Jesus just watched a barrage on youtube.My first thought would be if i was on the receiving end "wheres the spade,im digging 8 feet under"

 

[Zanovar]

Stalins organs lolol

 

[snoopy7548]

The difference between the word "rocket and missle" is the only letter they have in common is the letter "e"

Don't forget the "k".

 

[randay]

Context does matter. A big rock launched by a trebuchet is a missle, and a rocket is a firework which became a weapon invented by the chinese. Then we have rocket propulsion which provides the motive force for unguided explosive payloads and for guided missiles.

In modern terms a missile is a guided device propelled by rocket propulsion.

I dont disagree with almost all of that. I would say "military terms" instead of "modern terms".

Also in context of this thread the missiles listed on wikipedia entry for the jan 8 attack are indeed bonafide guided missile. I could not find any news article naming what type of missiles were used, nor did the OP provide any links. Perhaps he is conflating the jan 8 attack with the dec 27 attack?

 

[blankslate]

Rocket doesn't alliterate with Moisture so you can't use Rocket in the nickname for penis known as "heat seeking moisture missile"

simple enough....


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[Muse]

The instruments that go into orbit or outer space are routinely called rockets, not missiles. Clearly they are guided by virtue of highly sophisticated systems.

 

[IronWing]

The instruments that go into orbit or outer space are routinely called rockets, not missiles. Clearly they are guided by virtue of highly sophisticated systems.

It's hard to miss the sky.

 

[Muse]

It's hard to miss the sky.

Ah, but you could miss your rendezvous.

 

[BoomerD]

Rocket doesn't alliterate with Moisture so you can't use Rocket in the nickname for penis known as "heat seeking moisture missile"

simple enough....


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but that hear seeking moisture missile can be...improved with a little blue pocket rocket...

 

[DigDog]

tbh im not sure if there is a specific difference between the terms, but as i understand it one is lanched by a launcher and the other launches on its own, however i have heard both terms used for both situations.

 

[DeathReborn]

Iran most likely fired SRBM's (Zolfaghar/Qiab-1), I don't think they have any rockets capable of firing the required range and land anywhere within 10km of their target.

Rocket - Unguided projectile normally using a parabolic trajectory (otherwise range is close to 0km). You calculate trajectory, then aim, fire & forget
Missile - guided segmented projectile (payload/guidance/flight/propulsion) which is normally Rocket or Jet propelled and is capable of multiple trajectories at range. Can be re-targeted mid flight.

Most likely Iran programmed the missiles to land near the US bases, maybe hit some non-important structures on the bases, I heard it was 22 missiles and 2 failed to detonate. It does seem that a rabble of Iraqi protestors (backed by Iran) are better at damaging US installations in Iraq than Iran has demonstrated in the last few weeks.

In WW2 the German V1 was not exactly accurate but the terror it caused just by hearing it was bad enough, when you couldn't hear it anymore you knew it was about to strike. Someone mentioned Katyusha's... it's akin to carpet bombing an area, fire enough rockets and you can level everything.

 

[robphelan]

The rocket lives in your pocket while the missile hides in the thistle.

OMG.. i 100% chuckled out loud during my conference call. thank goodness I was on mute

 

[Ichinisan]

Maybe all missiles are rockets, but not all rockets are missiles. I assume it's not a missile unless the vehicle itself is a weapon or carries a weaponized payload.

 

[Scarpozzi]

...And why are they called MISS-ILES if they're supposed to be so damned accurate????