Shoulder-launched missile weapon

A shoulder-launched missile weapon is a weapon that fires a rocket-propelled missile at a target, yet is small enough to be carried by one man, and fired whilst held on their shoulder.

The smallest shoulder-launched missile weapons are called rocket propelled grenades (RPG). There are also larger "dumb" shoulder-launched missiles, used in a similar way to a RPG, but with far greater destructive power.

A number of specialised "smart" missiles are available in shoulder-launched forms, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft guided missiles.

Examples include:

• M-160 Rocket Launcher
• Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW)
• FIM-92 Stinger
• SA-7
• REDEYE

See also:

• anti-tank guided missile (ATGM)
• surface-to-air missile (SAM)