3 ms·

Missile usually just means guided. The tomahawk cruise missile is subsonic, among others.

• jacquesm 7y ago
  Missile usually just means something shot at something else. It doesn't need its own propulsion and it does not need its own guidance system. A stone from a slingshot counts as a missile by the normal definition.
  • starpilot 7y ago
    I'm aware of the etymology. Mitto, mittere. In modern ordnance context, missile = guided, rocket = unguided. Even though both use rocket motors (and here they usually say motor rather than engine).
    • globuous 7y ago
      Balistic missiles aren't really guided. They're closer to the slingshot approach.
      • Aenyn 7y ago
        But they are guided though, how else would the different warheads be able to have different targets when they are all launched in the same missile.
• neltnerb 7y ago
  And is what distinguishes it from a drone the type of flight? i.e. rocket plus some fins vs wings?
  • taneq 7y ago
    A missile is something that flies through the air with the intention of hitting and damaging a target. The exact mechanism of propulsion is orthogonal to the purpose. A stone from a sling is a missile, as is a pulse-jet-powered drone packed with explosives, as is a quadcopter with a kilo of C4 strapped to it.