Re: Multi-genre Dirtside II at conventions...

Tony Christney wrote:

>A missile has nearly the same definition as projectile, with the
>distinction of having a defined target.

Err... nope. At work we define missiles roughly as "projectiles which
have 
both active propulsion and an active guidance system". Whether or not it

has a defined *target* is completely irrelevant, since that's up to the
end 
user rather than us designers and manufacturers :-/

Thus a STRIX target-seeking AT mortar round is a "projectile" rather
than a 
"missile" nor a "rocket" since it lacks an integral active propulsion
unit 
to boost the velocity once outside the mortar.

>A rocket has a rocket engine as its means of propulsion.

Tell that to the US armed forces who insist on calling the AT4 (aka
M136) a 
"rocket launcher"... :-7

>The terms are not interchangeable.

Correct. Though your definition of "missile" is iffy too :-/

>For example, a Tomahawk is a missile that is not a rocket, an ICBM and
a
>Sidewinder are both missiles and rockets, and the Me163 Komet is a
>rocket that is not a missile.

The Me163 wasn't a "missile" in spite of having an active guidance
system 
(ie., the pilot) because missiles are supposed to be one-way, 
single-mission things while the Me163 was supposed to land (and return
its 
pilot alive) after a mission. Kamikaze flying bombs can be considered 
"missiles", though.

The M76 LAW projectile is a rocket which is not a missile.

>Guided or unguided should properly be used only to determine whether
>the trajectory is controllable after launch.

Guided or unguided is what defines whether your one-way single-mission 
projectile is a missile or a rocket-assisted/rocket-propelled grenade
:-/

Regards,

Oerjan
oerjan.ohlson@telia.com

"Life is like a sewer.
  What you get out of it, depends on what you put into it."