Guardian graphic | Sources: FAS, US Navy
Missile stages
Warheads
MIRV
Fairing
Interstage
Aerospike
6
4
5
3
2
1
Human
to scale
Stage 3
Stage 2
Stage 1
5
Outside Earth’s atmosphere, the missile’s onboard computer uses a star-sighting system to fine tune its position and velocity
6
MIRV, the multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle, changes orientation multiple times, releasing warheads on to different free-fall trajectories
1
Gas expanding in the launch tube propels missile to the surface
2
Once clear of the water, the first stage motor ignites
3
Stage 1 falls away,
stage 2 ignites
4
Stage 3 fires less than two minutes after launch. The missile is now travelling faster than 13,600 mph
Missile has a range of
more than 4,600 miles
Guardian graphic | Sources: Federation of American Scientists, US Navy
Missile stages
Warheads
MIRV
Nose fairing
Interstage
Aerospike
6
4
5
3
2
1
Human to scale
Stage 3
Stage 2
Stage 1
6
MIRV, the multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle, changes orientation multiple times, releasing warheads on to different free-fall trajectories
5
Outside Earth’s atmosphere, the missile’s onboard computer uses a star-sighting system to fine tune its position and velocity
3
Stage 1 falls away,
stage 2 ignites
4
Stage 3 fires less than two minutes after launch. The missile is now travelling faster than 13,600 mph
1
Gas expanding in the launch tube propels missile to the surface
2
Once clear of the water, the first stage motor ignites
Missile has a range of more than 4,600 miles
Jumbo jet to scale