Talk:Ballistic missile

Suggestion

Tried to rewrite the lede a bit to clarify what a modern missile does. I used Encylopedia Britannica as a source. A modern ballistic missile does a fly a parabolic path which may or may not enter outer space. Missiles used in a war zone are an example of missiles that fly a ballistic flight path that may not enter outer space. A SCUD missile is a good example of a ballistic missile used in a specific area. I have written about some of this stuff long ago. Mary Ash (talk) 18:08, 25 August 2024 (CDT)

Loved the edits especially the lede. Thanks! Mary Ash (talk) 13:28, 26 August 2024 (CDT)

thanks, Mary. This is a subject that I've been interested in for a long time. I'm glad we haven't blown the world up with these yet! Jack S. Byrom (talk) 08:57, 27 August 2024 (CDT)

Jack, Since it interests you, feel free to overhaul this article anyway you see fit. The former author was good on technical specs, but it is (as you point out) not a great treatment of the topic and its significance to society. I have deleted the articles on specific weapons because they consisted primarily of detailed technical specs, and since some are still in use in ongoing wars today, I don't see any use in making details about them available to everyone in the world (although, likely, Wikipedia has already done so, as well as various military journals). Anyway, since this topic does not delight me, it's all yours! (And maybe Mary's?). Pat Palmer (talk) 13:22, 27 August 2024 (CDT)

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This one almost got deleted, but then I realized we need a basic overview. You-know-who had created about 100 articles with specifications of specific missiles, and I feel that was too much. So glad to have people help make this one more helpful.Pat Palmer (talk) 13:37, 26 August 2024 (CDT)

yes Pat, I'm glad you left this up. I think the approach of the prior editor you reference wasn't the best for a general encyclopedia. This topic has so many implications, including the complete destruction of the planet. It should be in any encyclopedia... for instance, consider that the Cuban missile crisis missiles were ballistic missiles. Ballistic missiles were used in the Iran--Iraq war of many years ago, and also in both Gulf war conflicts (1991 and 2003). There's a lot more than just technical details that could go into this article. Also, it might be worth investigating whether hypersonic glide weapons, considered the new deadly threat, are considered ballistic missiles. Jack S. Byrom (talk) 14:02, 26 August 2024 (CDT)

In my reporting days I used to cover military affairs. My biggest claim to fame was writing about the V-22. I love how you polished the article up as it's informative while being interesting. Mary Ash (talk) 23:13, 27 August 2024 (CDT)