Defence Q&A What determines the accuracy of an interceptor missile?

[TheBiscuit]

I am a game developer working on a location-based android strategy game called Counterforce. The game revolves around missile combat. Players can launch missiles on eachother and use SAM sites to defend against those missiles.

I took over development of this game about 9 months ago. The existing system for intercepting missiles is rather simple and not very realistic. Interceptors can only be fired against missiles that are slower than they are. I would like to make this system more realistic, and so I am interested in knowing all the factors that influence the accuracy of an interceptor missile. For example:
-Speed of the missile the interceptor is targetting.
-The software controlling the interceptor.
-Guidance radar quality (I assume the range from the missile to the radar would be relevant here, farther missiles would be harder to intercept?)
-Speed difference between the missile and interceptor?

If you guys could help me learn about this, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[500]

I am a game developer working on a location-based android strategy game called Counterforce. The game revolves around missile combat. Players can launch missiles on eachother and use SAM sites to defend against those missiles.

I took over development of this game about 9 months ago. The existing system for intercepting missiles is rather simple and not very realistic. Interceptors can only be fired against missiles that are slower than they are. I would like to make this system more realistic, and so I am interested in knowing all the factors that influence the accuracy of an interceptor missile. For example:
-Speed of the missile the interceptor is targetting.
-The software controlling the interceptor.
-Guidance radar quality (I assume the range from the missile to the radar would be relevant here, farther missiles would be harder to intercept?)
-Speed difference between the missile and interceptor?

If you guys could help me learn about this, I would greatly appreciate it.

1) Guidance method. Active radar and IR homing are most accurate, radio guidance - least accurate.
2) Missile maneuverability (max G load).
3) Missile speed.
4) Duration of interceptor's engine burn.
5) Target speed and maneuvering.

Interceptors can only be fired against missiles that are slower than they are.

Actually interceptors can shoot down incoming missiles which are faster than they are.

 

[TheBiscuit]

1) Guidance method. Active radar and IR homing are most accurate, radio guidance - least accurate.
2) Missile maneuverability (max G load).
3) Missile speed.
4) Duration of interceptor's engine burn.
5) Target speed and maneuvering.


Actually interceptors can shoot down incoming missiles which are faster than they are.

Thank you for the information.

I know interceptors can shoot down incoming missiles faster than they are, that's why I don't like the existing system in the game. Hoping to replace it with something more realistic. Thanks!

 

[UkroTurk]

missiles

What kind of missiles? Slow but low flying long range Cruise missiles or Fast but Short Ranger Ballistic Missiles? Or İntercontinental Ballistic Missiles?


Don't underestimate slower but low flying long range cruise missiles. US Navy Destroyers around the oceans monitor sea levels.

 

[Old Codger]

1) Guidance method. Active radar and IR homing are most accurate, radio guidance - least accurate.
2) Missile maneuverability (max G load).
3) Missile speed.
4) Duration of interceptor's engine burn.
5) Target speed and maneuvering.


Actually interceptors can shoot down incoming missiles which are faster than they are.

...with a closing speed and time in seconds or even milliseconds. Which is why I dislike the Harpoon etc, they seem to be obsolete to me. It is all about speed and range now.

OC

 

[avonsabre]

Would not mind a squadron or two, of F15ex to boost our air to air fighting stocks