II-3
i. Assembly Areas. In most cases missiles and warheads are shipped and stored
separately. One of the final stages of preparing the weapon for launching is mating the
warhead to the missile body. This applies to training and combat operations.
j. Launch Areas. TM attacks normally take place from preselected launch areas. The
characteristics of the launch areas are dependent on missile-type. Ballistic missiles usually
start from a hide position then move to the launch area. Aircraft and naval vessels usually
proceed directly to a preselected launch area from their bases.
k. Launch Preparation. After arrival at a launch area, most ballistic missiles require
some prelaunch preparation. These activities may involve fueling and testing the missile
and warhead components along with some assembly operations. Launch preparations for
liquid-fueled TMs generally require longer set-up/check-out time than do solid fuel missiles.
For cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles, these activities will likely occur at an airfield
or port and may involve simply moving the missile from a storage area to a delivery
platform (aircraft or naval ship).
l. Command, Control, and Communications (C3). Planning TM operations is normally
a highly centralized process with tight control over the employment and selection of targets.
Execution of TM operations may be either centralized or decentralized. The degree of
centralization is generally determined by the amount of control desired by civilian or senior
military leaders, the capability for secure radio or hardwire communications, the ability of
the opposing forces to detect or locate transmitters, and the tactics employed. WMD-armed
missiles will be tightly controlled because of their political sensitivity and the possibility of
retaliation. Thus, WMD-associated TM units will normally require robust communication
links or constant communication with national leadership for launch authorization.
m. Support Units. Most TM systems require an extensive support system. Support
units provide a variety of functions to include maintenance, rearming and refueling,
personnel replacement, etc. They also deliver replacement warheads and missiles and
conduct all the electronic testing and repair. During peacetime, these units will probably be
collocated with the TM firing units in garrison. In wartime, they may disperse to FOBs or
forward operating locations (FOLs), dispersal/staging airfields, or naval operating areas.
3. Theater Ballistic Missiles (TBMs)
a. Definition. TBMs or surface-to-surface missiles are characterized by their
trajectory, having one or more boosters and an initial steering vector. They have a range of
30 to greater than 3300 kilometers (50 to 2000 miles) and can travel this distance in 5 to 20
minutes. Once launched, ballistic missiles are guided to their preselected targets using
gyroscopic assemblies.
b. Threat Employment Concepts.
(1) Prime strategic targets for ballistic missiles are large, soft, heavily defended,
and deep rear area facilities that are critical to a nation’s warfighting ability. Examples
include airfields, air defense sites, transportation centers (ports and airfields), logistical
hubs, and national command and control nodes. Additionally, key population centers are