A nuclear missile, usually short for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, (ICBM) is a missile loaded with a nuclear warhead, able to cause devastating damage to a target in the form of a uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction. This can be done via both fission and fusion, however most modern nuclear weapons are fusion. The purpose of an ICBM is to provide a quick and accurate delivery of a nuclear warhead(s) to any place on the planet as a form of deterrence to both conventional and nuclear aggression.

See also:

• explosives
• missile
• ranged weapon