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A missile does not so much hit a ship as explode near it. When a missile crosses the [[signature radius]] of its target, it blows up. The speed at which this explosion grows and the maximum size of the explosion determine the amount of damage done to the target. [[File:Qsm_missile_sigrad.gif|frame|right|alt=animation of missile hit|Missile Explodes at Signature Radius]] EVE uses a mathematical equation to compute the precise amount of damage that the explosion does to the ship. The details of what happens when a missile hits are somewhat complicated and are explained in [[Missile Damage]]. | A missile does not so much hit a ship as explode near it. When a missile crosses the [[signature radius]] of its target, it blows up. The speed at which this explosion grows and the maximum size of the explosion determine the amount of damage done to the target. [[File:Qsm_missile_sigrad.gif|frame|right|alt=animation of missile hit|Missile Explodes at Signature Radius]] EVE uses a mathematical equation to compute the precise amount of damage that the explosion does to the ship. The details of what happens when a missile hits are somewhat complicated and are explained in [[Missile Damage]]. | ||
=== Range === | === Range === | ||
When fired, a missile will leave the launcher, quickly accelerate, and then proceed at its best speed directly at the target until it runs out of fuel. If it encounters the target during that time, it will explode - otherwise it will vanish. The maximum distance that a missile will travel can be found by multiplying the speed of the missile by the number of seconds that its fuel will last. | When fired, a missile will leave the launcher, quickly accelerate, and then proceed at its best speed directly at the target until it runs out of fuel. If it encounters the target during that time, it will explode - otherwise it will vanish. The approximate maximum distance that a missile will travel can be found by multiplying the speed of the missile by the number of seconds that its fuel will last. (The approximation is due to the slightly slower speed as the missile accelerates at launch.) | ||
Maximum Distance ≈ Speed x Seconds of Fuel | Maximum Distance ≈ Speed x Seconds of Fuel | ||
For example: | |||
* A Light Missile has a flight time of 5 seconds at a speed of 3750 m/s. The maximum distance it can travel is 5 x 3750 ≈ 18,750 m. | * A Light Missile has a flight time of 5 seconds at a speed of 3750 m/s. The maximum distance it can travel is 5 x 3750 ≈ 18,750 m. | ||
* A torpedo has a flight time of 6 seconds at a speed of 1500 m/s. The maximum distance it can travel is 6 x 1500 ≈ 9,000 m. | * A torpedo has a flight time of 6 seconds at a speed of 1500 m/s. The maximum distance it can travel is 6 x 1500 ≈ 9,000 m. | ||