Editing Missile (section)

===Propulsion===
Missiles are powered by [[propellants]] igniting to produce thrust and might employ types of [[rocket engine|rocket]] or [[jet engine]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/rocket-engine-liquid-fuel-4-redstone-missile/nasm_A19910078000|title=Redstone Missile Rocket Engine|work=[[National Air and Space Museum]]|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> Rockets might be fueled by [[solid-propellant rocket|solid-propellant]]s which are comparatively easier to maintain and enables faster deployment. These propellants contain a [[fuel]] and [[oxidizer]] mixed in select proportions with the grain size and burn chamber determining the rate and time of burn.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Kosanke|first1=K. L.|title=Encyclopedic Dictionary of Pyrotechnics: (and Related Subjects)|last2=Sturman|first2=Barry T.|last3=Winokur|first3=Robert M.|last4=Kosanke|first4=B. J.|date=October 2012|publisher=Journal of Pyrotechnics|isbn=978-1-88952-621-8}}</ref> Larger missiles might use [[liquid-propellant rocket]]s where propulsion is provided by a single or combination of liquid fuels.<ref name="Sutton">{{cite book|last=Sutton|first=George P.|title=Rocket Propulsion Elements, 3rd edition|year=1963|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|location=[[New York City]]|pages=25, 186, 187}}</ref> A hybrid system uses solid rocket fuel with a liquid oxidizer.<ref name="Sutton"/> Jet engines are generally used in [[cruise missile]]s, most commonly of the [[turbojet]] type, because of their relative simplicity and low frontal area while [[turbofan]]s and [[ramjet]]s can also be theoretically used.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Turbojet Engine|publisher=[[NASA Glenn Research Center]]|url=http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/aturbj.html|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brahmos.com/content.php?id=10|title=Missile system|work=[[BrahMos Aerospace]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> 

From the 1950s to early 1970s, the United States operated [[Project Rover]] and [[Project Pluto]] for developing [[nuclear thermal rocket]]s and nuclear-powered ramjet engines for powering cruise missiles respectively. Both performed static engine tests but were cancelled before deployment.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hacker |first=Barton C. |year=1995 |title=Whoever heard of nuclear ramjets? Project Pluto, 1957—1964 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23786203 |journal=Icon |publisher=Temporary Publisher |volume=1 |pages=85–98 |issn=13618113 |jstor=23786203 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> Ballistic missiles often have multiple stages and might use similar type or a mix of propulsion types. Some missiles may have additional propulsion from another source at launch such as a [[catapult]], [[cannon]] or [[tank gun]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/technology-cluster-links/labs-products-detail/2632/174|title=Lab products: SAMHO|work=[[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>