Missile Launch Operations

Images depict various missile launch systems, showcasing missile firing, artillery vehicles, and military technology in action across different exercises and locations.

Pacific Ocean, November 17, 2005 - A Standard Missile Three (SM-3) is launched from the vertical launch system (VLS) aboard the Pearl Harbor based Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70), during a joint Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy ballistic missile flight test.

1981 - A Pershing missile is launched from Complex 16..

A view of a Pershing missile being launched. Base: Cape Canaveral Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, from 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, attached to 41st Field Artillery Brigade, fires a rocket as part of Nordic Strike 22a Swedish Army-led, 56th Artillery Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa-supported live-fire exerciseat Vidsel Test Range, Sweden, Sept. 27, 2022. U.S. Army Europe and Africa possesses the organic ability to integrate these long-range precision fires rapidly, with partner nations, during exercises, like Nordic Strike 22, and potential conflict to deliver scalable joint fires in support of U.S. and partner nations operations anywhere in Europe, Africa and beyond. (DoD photo by Anders Åberg, Swedish Ministry of Defense)

Patriot surface-to-air missile system (Patriot air defence system), IFA Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Europe

A Pioneer remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) is catapulted from a launching rail set up atop an M-814 5-ton cargo truck. The RPV is being tested in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Pacific Ocean, November 17, 2005 - A Standard Missile Three (SM-3) is launched from the vertical launch system (VLS) aboard the Pearl Harbor based Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70), during a joint Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy ballistic missile flight test.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 11, 2019) The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) launched a Standard Missile (SM) 2 during a missile exercise (MSLEX). MSLEXs are designed to maintain readiness, proficiency and lethality.

DA-SC-85-10584. Base: White Sands Missile Test Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A MIM-104 Patriot anti-aircraft missile is fired during a training exercise.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, fire rockets from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

Ballistic Rocket. Nuclear Missile With Warhead. War Backgound

U.S. Army Rocket Launcher

DF-ST-86-03580. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Boeing B-52D Stratofortress. Long-range, jet-powered heavy strategic bomber. Produced by the American company Boeing, it became operational in 1955 in the US Air Force. D models were modified to carry conventional bombs externally during the Vietnam War. Bombs on a B-52D. South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Box Elder, South Dakota, United States.

A Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (T-LAM) is launched from the US Navy (USN) OHIO CLASS: Strategic Missile Submarine, USS FLORIDA (SSBN 728), during Giant Shadow, a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)/Naval Submarine Forces Experiment, conducted off the coast of the Bahamas. Giant Shadow is the first experiment under the Sea Trial initiative of the CHIEF of Naval Operations (CNO) Sea Power 21 vision and the first in a series of experiments before converting and overhauling four SSBN class submarines to conventional weapons SSGN class. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

050923-N-0499M-002. Base: USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

061202-N-5555T-018. Base: USS Ardent (MCM 12)

A BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile is launched aboard the destroyer USS MERRILL (DD-976). Base: Pacific Missile Test Range State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-05-10421. Base: Barking Sands, Kauai State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fires upon an area with coordinates given to them during a qualification event during Western Strike 22 at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 6, 2022. Western Strike is an eXportable Combat Training Capabilities exercise led by the Utah National Guard's 65th Field Artillery Brigade, that provides National Guard Soldiers immersed training similar to a Combat Training Center and aims to increase participating unit's readiness and lethality.

DA-SC-85-10582. Base: White Sands Missile Test Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 401st Aircraft Generation Squadron, prepare to load Mark 84 2,000-pound bombs onto 401st Tactical Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The aircraft are being armed for the first daylight strike against Iraqi targets during Operation Desert Storm.

GBU-58 smart bomb loaded on a Royal Danish Air Force F-16A plane.

A BGM-109 Tomahawk Land-Attack Missile (TLAM) is launched toward a target in Iraq from the port side Mark 143 Armored Box Launcher (ABL) on the stern of the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN40) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

Crewmen line the rail of the guided missile cruiser USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CG 5) as it passes Alcatraz Island. The ship is returning to port from the Pacific Missile Test Range, after the United States Navy conducted its final firing of the Talos surface-to-air guided missile. Base: San Francisco State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Weapons aboard the battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) include, from left to right, a Mark 16 Phalanx close-in weapons system, Mark 141 Harpoon surface-to-surface missile canisters and Mark 143 Tomahawk missile armored box launchers. Country: Unknown

MIM-104 Patriot Surface-to-air missile system

DF-ST-89-00132. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Copy image of the launch of BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile from its MK-143 Armored Box Launcher (ABL) aboard a destroyer. Country: Unknown

US Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC). Marines from Aviation Ordnance, VMA-231, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina, use a munitions lift truck to arm an AV-8BII Harrier with a 500 pound BDU-45 bomb, during Combined Arms Exercise (CAX) 5/6-97. Base: Mcagcc, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010925-F-9528H-003. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

050622-A-8255A-013. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Tikrit State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

An AIM-9 Sidewinder missile is mounted onto an F-14A Tomcat aircraft during ordnance loading operations. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-87-00609. Base: Ellsworth Air Force Base State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two members of Fleet Composite Squadron 6 (VC-6) conduct a pre-launch check on a BQM-74C target drone on the flight deck of the destroyer USS O'BANNON (DD 987) during Unitas XXXII, combined exercise involving the naval forces of the United States and nine South American nations. The drone will be used as target by anti-aircraft gunners aboard ships taking part in the exercise. Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XXXII Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

US Army MIM-104 Patriot Missile M-109 launcher trailers, from Alpha Battery, 1ST Battalion, 1ST Air Defense Artillery, 31st ADA Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas, are setup to receive launcher canisters, Base Camp McGregor Missile Range. The Patriot missiles will be used for air defense during Exercise ROVING SANDS '97, 18 April 1997.(Duplicate image, see also DD-SD-01-04270 or search 970418-F-6655M-101). Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS 97 Base: Fort Bliss State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030323-F-9528H-009. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

US Marine aviator inspects the tail fins of an Aim-9 sidewinder missile mounted onto an F/A-18D Hornet at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq

Two Reduced-Range Practice Rockets (RRPR), fired from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) attached to Baker Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade, fly over the Baltic Sea during a Latvian-led combined military exercise in Liepāja, Latvia, Sept. 27, 2022. Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery and the 321st FAR are working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

A view of an electronic warfare (jammer) pod installed on an A-3 Skywarrior aircraft, at the Pacific Missile Test Center. Base: Naval Air Station, Point Mugu State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Laser Guided Bombs at Al Asad Air Base, Anbar Province, Iraq

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flies over a MIM-104 Patriot missile launcher assigned to the Charlie Battery, 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion at Palau International Airport in support of Valiant Shield 22, June 12, 2022. Exercises like VS22 allow forces across the Indo-Pacific to integrate Navy,Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Space Force tactics and train in precise, lethal and overwhelmingmulti-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Force.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 23, 2024) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) fires an SM-2 Block III missile during a live-fire exercise, Jan. 23, 2024. Michael Murphy is assigned to Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations conducting advanced tactical training that increases warfighting capability and tactical proficiency across all domains.

040203-F-3805C-015. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

DF-ST-85-12637. Subject Operation/Series: NIGHT TRAIN/GLOBAL SHIELD '84 Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Israeli Defence Forces Patriot PAC-3 air defense system.

A U.S. Marine Corps H142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), fires during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 at Dugway Proving Ground, Dugway, Utah, on Oct. 12, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, providing standardization advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness and assist in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

Members of the 381st Strategic Missile Wing guide a Titan II reentry vehicle onto a trailer for transport back to the base. This is the first Titan II missile to be deactivated at McConnell. Base: Mcconnell Air Force Base State: Kansas (KS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Pacific Ocean, October 25, 2012 - The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) launches a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) as apart of a joint ballistic missile defense exercise.

040420-F-6844O-002. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 28, 2022) - Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) launches an SM-2 Standard Missile during a missile exercise as part of Pacific Vanguard (PV) 22 while operating in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 28. PV 22 is an exercise with a focus on interoperability and the advanced training and integration of allied maritime forces.

Sea Sparrow Hitting Target

DA-SC-88-01663. Base: White Sands Missile Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An AIM-120A AMRAMM missile is launched from a High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), at Site 15A at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Designated HUMRAAM, the demonstration was a joint U. S. Air Force, U. S. Army and industry program to determine the feasibility of launching AIM-120A AMRAMM missiles from a HMMWV configured with five launchers. The results of the launches were favorable and may lead to additional testing. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Devil forward observers work with 2 Panther mortarmen to call in illumination.

Capt. Jonathan Acker, 20th Bomb Squadron navigator, inspects a MK-62 Naval Quickstrike Mine under a B-52H Stratofortress in support of RIMPAC 2022 at Barksdale Air Force Base, Aug. 1, 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 10, 2015) - The guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) fires an SM-2 missile during a live-fire exercise. Sailors from the John C. Stennis Strike Group are participating in a sustainment training exercise (SUSTEX) to prepare for future deployments.

A BQM-167A sub-scale aerial target drone is housed in a hangar during Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 22.08 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 11, 2022. The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Groups WSEP-E 22.08 was a formal, two-week evaluation exercise designed to test a squadrons capabilities to conduct live-fire weapons systems during air-to-air combat training missions.

USS Abraham Lincoln Launches Missile

Luftverteidigung, die Raketen abschießt und einen Kampfeinsatz von Raketen und Drohnen abwehrt, Konzept. Luftverteidigung und Schutz. Raketenabschuss. Krieg und Waffen *** Air defense, the Missiles shoots down and a Combat mission from Missiles and Drones fended off, Concept Air defence and Protection Missile launch War and Weapons 1102805063

Beyond the barrels of the battleship's 16-inch guns, black arm-banded sailors stand at the rail of the USS IOWA (BB-61). The Iowa is coming home four days after an explosion in the No. 2 16-inch turret killed 47 of its crew. Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A GBU-15 glide bomb mounted on the wing pylon of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft at White Sands Missile Range. State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12 Marines, 3d Marine Division, deploy High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems during Balikatan 22 in northern Luzon, Philippines, April 4, 2022. During the training, the HIMARS platoon received real-time targeting data from the 3d Marine Littoral Regiment combat operations center to prosecute simulated fire missions. The HIMARS provided a ground-based precision fires capability in support of counter-landing operations and served as a surrogate for the future employment of the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. The coastal defense scenario enabled the MLR fires and intelligence sections to integrate with the joint network of sensors and develop a clear common operational picture while a small element of the 3d Littoral Anti-Air Battalion assisted with the de-confliction of land, air, and maritime traffic to ensure a safe flight path for the simulated missile. This combined interoperability event brought the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippin

050712-N-3455P-004. Base: USS Boxer (LHD 4)

U.S. Air Force SSGT Allen Wesley secures a load of AIM-120s before transporting them to an aircraft. Wesley of Odessa, Texas, is assigned to the 31st Maintenance Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Itlay, supporting NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

Missile being launched, Arrow Anti-ballistic Missile Interceptor

DF-ST-85-12092. Base: Bitburg Air Base Country: West Germany (FRG)

The US Army launches a Pershing II battlefield support missile on a long-range flight down the Eastern Test Range at 10:46 a.m. EDT. This is the 12th test flight of the Pershing II engineering development program and the seventh flight from Cape Canaveral. Base: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 8, 2021) The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) launches a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM). Littoral combat ships are fast, agile and networked surface combatants, optimized for operating in the near-shore environments. With mission packages allowing for tailored capabilities to meet specific mission needs and unique physical characteristics, LCS provides operational flexibility to combatant commanders.

A view of a BGM-109 Tomahawk missile in flight during a land attack conventional missile operation test near the Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, California. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

CHOERWON, South Korea - A M270A1 MLRS rocket launcher assigned to 210th Field Artillery Brigade fires a reduced range practice rocket during a regularly scheduled, routine live fire exercise, February 9, 2023. 210th Field Artillery Brigade conducts live fire training exercises throughout the year in order to certify MLRS crew members and maintain readiness.

DN-ST-86-02315. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '84 Base: Vieques Island Country: Puerto Rico (PRI)

Mark 20 Mod-6 anti-tank bombs mounted on the wing PAVE Knife pod of an A-7 Corsair II aircraft at the open house air show. Base: Naval Air Station Patuxent River State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air defense missiles. Museum of Weapons and Equipment. Translation of inscriptions: the land-to-air air defense missiles, 75 missile complex, flight range

Missile being launched, Arrow Anti-ballistic Missile Interceptor

Nike rockets on the Launching Area.

1984 - A Pershing II missile is launched from Complex 16..

China Lake, California, November 10, 2002 - A Tactical Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile conducts a controlled flight test over the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) western test range complex in southern California. The Tactical Tomahawk, the next generation of Tomahawk cruise missile, adds the capability to reprogram the missile while in-flight to strike any of 15 preprogrammed alternate targets, or redirect the missile to any Global Positioning System (GPS) target coordinates. It also will b

1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group Airmen pour more than 12,000 cubic meters of concrete for a runway overrun repair project at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, April 14, 2022

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 11, 2013) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) fires a Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) during a live-fire exercise as part of Multi-Sail 13. Multi-Sail 13 is a training exercise designed to test ships operating ability across a wide range of disciplines including anti-submarine warfare, live fire exercises, and high value unit escort scenarios.

On board USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) April 4, 1999, in the Adriatic Sea - The super structure of the destroyer GONZALEZ becomes visible in the pitch black early morning hours, as a "Tomahawk" cruise missile launches from the aft (rear) missile deck. GONZALEZ is currently forward deployed in the Adriatic Sea to support NATO Operation Allied Force. In recent days military planners (not shown) have stepped up the bombing campaign to include targets in the heart of the Serbian capital of Belgrade. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Country: Adriatic Sea

DF-SC-84-08708. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040420-F-6665C-001. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Security personnel are seen as the Soyuz rocket is rolled out by train to the launch pad, Monday, March 19, 2018 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 55 crewmembers Ricky Arnold and Drew Feustel of NASA and Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos are scheduled to launch at 1:44 p.m. Eastern time (11:44 p.m. Baikonur time) on March 21 and will spend the next five months living and working aboard the International Space Station.

A navy Trident missile is launched from the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine USS GEORGE BANCROFT (SSBN-643). Country: Unknown

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 prepare to load a GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb into an F-35B Lightning II aircraft to support a close air support mission at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 28, 2022. Marines with VMFA-242 conducted close air support with inert GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs at Combined Arms Training Center, Fuji in support of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. This training marked the first-ever live close air support missions in Japan with an F-35B Lightning II aircraft.

030922-F-7910D-008. Base: Eglin Range State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AF Special Operations

Su-33 jet fighters of the Russian Navy with reflection in puddle.

110620-O-ZZ999-001KAUAI COUNTY, Hawaii (June 20, 2011) A Standard Missile (SM 2) is fired from the Royal Australian Navy guided-missile frigate HMAS Sydney (FFG 3) during a live-fire exercise near the Pacific Missile Range off the coast of Hawaii. Sydney was on a Mid Pacific (MIDPAC) deployment to test and evaluate the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade.

030410-M-6538A-030. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 5th Marines

US Navy Aviation Ordnancemen aboard the US Navy's nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) configure a Paveway III GBU-24B/B bomb before it is transferred to the flight deck for hanging on tactical aircraft in support of Operation DESERT STRIKE. The operation was designed to allow tactical missions by US and other coalition aircraft inside the borders of Iraq, in response to repeated Iraqi attacks in violation of UN Safe Zones. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STRIKE Base: USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

Shot of a US Army soldier holding a 120mm mortar shell stored inside a warehouse at Government ordnance Facility #4 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, during Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

With their American escorts watching, Soviet inspectors record data from the side of a Pershing II missile prior to its destruction. Several missiles are to be destroyed in accordance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Base: Pueblo Army Depot Activity State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Rocket launchers against the background of green trees

A Cuban (Czechoslovakian-made) M-53 quad 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun seized at Point Salines airfield during the multi-service, multinational Operation URGENT FURY. Additional captured weapons and equipment can be seen behind the gun. A C-130 Hercules aircraft lands in the background. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Country: Grenada (GRD)

Europe, Poland, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Borne Sulinowo

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