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What does throw weight mean for a ballistic missile?
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rocket and missile system
U.S. soldiers firing an FGM-148 Javelin antitank guided missile during training in Grafenwöhr, Ger., 2006.
In the context of ballistic missiles, throw weight refers to the total weight that a missile is capable of placing on a ballistic trajectory toward a target.1
This payload includes the warhead or warheads, the guidance system, and various penetration aidsâsuch as decoys, electronic jammers, and chaffâdesigned to help the missile elude enemy defenses.1
To increase a missile's throw weight and range, designers typically utilize a multistage configuration. By shedding the weight of spent fuel, pumps, and flight controls as the flight progresses, each successive stage has less mass to accelerate, allowing the missile to carry a larger payload over a greater distance.1