THE WAR OF MISSILES

More than 50 types of tactical missiles and precision-guided munitions have been deployed on aircraft, ships and ground units in the Persian Gulf War, providing troops with the mainstay of their firepower so far.

The missiles can cost up to $1.25 million each, but their high cost accompanies the capability to deliver warheads with pinpoint accuracy from long distances.

Although fighter aircraft get greater publicity, it is the missiles that provide their fighting capability. The kinds include:

air to-air missiles: used to shoot down enemy aircraft

ground-to-air: used to shoot down enemy aircraft or enemy missiles

air-to-ground: used to attack tanks, runways or buildings.

The missiles depend on mechanical and electronic guidance systems including: radar, infrared sensors, inertial measuring units, television cameras and terrain following devices.

The Sparrow missile, a radar guided air-to-air missile, is credited with shooting down an Iraqi aircraft Thursday.

The Tomahawk cruise missile, a ship-launched missile guided with a combination of inertial and terrain following systems, provided surgical strikes against Iraqi ground targets.

And the Patriot missile, a ground-launched missile, successfully shot down an incoming ballistic missile Thursday. It was the first time the missile had been used in combat.

Hellfire: Land/air-to-surface Anti-tank Tow: Surface-to-surface Anti-tank Sea Wolf: Ship-to-air Anti-plane Hellfire: Air-to-surface Anti-tank Sea Sparrow: Ship-to-air Anti-plane Harpoon: Air-to-surface Anti-ship Patriot: Surface-to-air Anti-missile I/Hawk: Surface-to-air Anti-plain Tomahawk: Ship-to-air Anti-ground targets SCUD B: Length: 37 feet Diameter: 3 feet Launch weight: 7 tons Payload: One 2,172-lb. warhead, conventional or chemical. Propulsion: Liquid propellant Accuracy: Within 1,476 feet AL HUSSEIN: Length: 40 feet Diameter: 3 feet Launch weight: 7.7 tons Payload: One 1,102-lb. warhead, conventional or chemical. Propulsion: Liquid propellant Accuracy: Within 3,281 feet