35 Longest-Range Missiles in the US Military

Special Report

Published: December 24, 2023 10:35 am

Last Updated: December 24, 2023 10:38 am

Missiles and rockets have been used in warfare since ancient times. Rockets were used during the military siege of Kaifeng in 1232 China. The first use of missiles was the V-2 rocket used by Nazi Germany in the Second World War. This missile was the precursor of the long-range missiles that we have today. It wasn’t until European technology interceded that the long-range missiles of current times were created.

Today, missiles are used extensively throughout wars. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, it has been met with a stout defense that has often halted its advances. In return, Russia has been bombarding Ukraine with missiles, hitting both military and civilian targets. Attacks on city centers are often described as war crimes, and Russia has destroyed civilian infrastructure, killed civilians, and made life in many places in Ukraine difficult and dangerous.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed congressional research reports and military documents and publications, including Air & Space Forces Magazine and the U.S. Navy site to identify the longest-range missiles in the U.S. military arsenal. We ranked missiles according to their maximum range and added supplemental information regarding the types of bombs, which U.S. military branches use them, and the companies that make them.

This list includes defensive missiles designed to intercept approaching threats as well as tactical missile systems, anti-tank missiles, and strategic nuclear weapons. Some of the systems on the list have never been deployed, while others have been routinely used for decades. (Also see how some are used in combat: the U.S. military’s bombs and missiles and how they’re used in combat.)

Many of the world’s superpowers have impressive missile arsenals, like Russia, but even though the country may be flexing its military muscles in Ukraine with a barrage of missiles, there is another superpower with an even more remarkable missile arsenal. The U.S. military possesses one of the most advanced missile arsenals in the world, with a wide range and platforms designed for a variety of operational uses.

Out of the U.S. arsenal, the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) stand out as the longest-range missiles, and they make up a critical component of the nation’s deterrence and defense strategy. ICBMs are characterized by their reach, capable of traveling thousands of miles to strike targets with remarkable precision. The Minuteman III, a land-based missile with an operational range of over 8,000 miles, is a prime example. It serves as an integral element of the U.S. nuclear triad. (This is how an ICBM works.)

The most widely used missile in modern military arsenals is the AGM-114 Hellfire missile, which makes it an important part of today’s military. It is primarily designed as an air-to-ground missile with a typical range of around 7 miles. This missile can be launched from many platforms, including helicopters, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft. It is typically used in anti-tank, anti-vehicle, and anti-ship engagements.

Here are the longest-range missiles in the US military