Main Entry: missile Function: noun : an object (as a weapon) thrown or projected usually so as to strike something at a distance (stones, artillery shells, bullets, and rockets are missiles)
You're like my wife: "often wrong, but never in doubt".
ballistic, apparently, refers to the fact that the missile is not fired like a bottle rocket.
The ballistic missiles flight time, arc and trajectory have been calculated, and the missile is aimed for a specific target. The missile may or may not have onboard flight 'correction', or 'tracking', or 'targeting' abilities.
Just the fact it is 'aimed' based on known flight characteristics is enough to warrant the label 'ballistic'.
ballistic, apparently, refers to the fact that the missile is not fired like a bottle rocket.
The ballistic missiles flight time, arc and trajectory have been calculated, and the missile is aimed for a specific target. The missile may or may not have onboard flight 'correction', or 'tracking', or 'targeting' abilities.
Just the fact it is 'aimed' based on known flight characteristics is enough to warrant the label 'ballistic'.