Editing Ballistic missile (section)

== Types ==
[[File:Trident II missile image.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Trident II]] SLBM launched by [[ballistic missile submarine]]]]

Ballistic missiles can be launched from fixed sites or mobile launchers, including vehicles (e.g., [[transporter erector launcher]]s), [[aircraft]], [[Navy|ships]], and [[submarine]]s. Ballistic missiles vary widely in range and use, and are often divided into categories based on range. Various schemes are used by different countries to categorize the ranges of ballistic missiles:

*[[Tactical ballistic missile]] (TBM): Range less than 300 km
*[[Short-range ballistic missile]] (SRBM): Range from {{convert|300|to|1000|km}}
*[[Medium-range ballistic missile]] (MRBM): Range from {{convert|1000|to|3500|km}}
*[[Intermediate-range ballistic missile]] (IRBM): Range from {{convert|3500|to|5500|km}}
*[[Intercontinental ballistic missile]] (ICBM): Range greater than {{convert|5500|km}}

Long- and medium-range ballistic missiles are generally designed to deliver [[nuclear weapon]]s because their [[payload]] is too limited for conventional explosives to be cost-effective in comparison to conventional [[bomber aircraft]].