Matrix Games Forums

I noticed that the W62 warheads slow down to subsonic speeds just before they get to their targets, is this true? Did those types of warheads really slow down that much? I haven't noticed this with other ICBM warheads, the w87 on the minuteman III doesn't do that.

It's their horizontal speed that slows down considerably, as they take a steep dive from sub-orbit towards their target. (Minimizing the time-in-atmosphere reduces off-aimpoint drift due to winds).

I understand they slow down in the atmosphere but I was surprised by how slow. I tried again, firing a MMIII with 3xW62 warheads and a MMIII with 1xW87. The first missile accelerated to 11500kts, the second 12000kts. At detonation the W62s had slowed down to 380kts while the W87 also slowed down but hit at a speed of 5159kts. Why did the W62s slow down so much more? Does it have something to do with it being a MIRVed missile?

That does sound a bit much. Please let us have a look at it.

Ah, thanks for spotting this one. Fixed!

Thanks guys!