Archives

Title Posted
The basis for Manticoran inventiveness Jul 2005
Education reform in the Republic of Haven Jul 2005
Technical improvements in the Talbott Cluster Jul 2005
Locating new Manticoran shipyards Jul 2005
Mesan assassin nanotech Jul 2005
The rationale behind when to reveal Apollo's existence Jul 2005
Refitting to the Keyhole-II standard Jul 2005
Expanding upon the Eridani Edict Dec 2005
Manticore's relationship with Beowulf Dec 2005
Power of the Manticoran Monarchy Dec 2005

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Pearls of Weber

A collection of posts by David Weber containing background information for his stories, collected and generously made available Joe Buckley.

Missile orientation during flight

  • Series: Honorverse
  • Date: October 22, 2002

Missiles in the Harrington universe are virtually all seeking weapons. Their sensor heads are required to maintain lock on their targets (at least once they are beyond effective, real-time telemetry control from the ship which launched them). This means that they keep the throats of their wedges oriented on their targets, which is why it is possible for point defense lasers to kill them at extended ranges. There is no sidewall or wedge protecting them from the fire or the ship they are attacking; their wedges do, however, protect them from the defensive fire of other ships which might attempt to engage them from "above" or "below."