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This ABM missile has a range of 1325 nautical miles according to the latest DB However I noted with a brief scenario I loaded to test it's ABM capabilities they would not launch until DF-26 was about 500 miles from the ship even manual launch. I added a SBX radar so the DF-26 was detected at 800+ miles away.

Does anyone have an explanation for this kind of behavior?

Yes, this is WAD.

With ABMs, the intercept coverage area (aka defensive footprint) is not defined so much by horizontal but by vertical reach. Because the threats are typically coming in at a very high elevation angle (with the possible exception of depressed-trajectory shots), the interceptor will cover a lot of vertical space and a comparatively small horizontal space when being able to make the connect.

This is why dual-role (AAW/ABM) systems like the Patriot PAC-2/PAC-3, SM-6 or SA-12B have a much smaller practical engagement range against BMs/RVs than against air-breathing targets.

Thanks Dimitris, just kinda hard to visualize the vertical as range as the range circle indicates it's full horizontal range and when trying to launch it does not say it's out of range it says it is unable to attack this target.

The SM3 is a mid course interceptor so just felt it kind of weird behavior, I thought it was WAD that is why I put here instead of tech support with a save... just wanted to better understand what was happening.