Evaluated screen

Missiles, Rockets, Torpedoes and Launch Systems

Identifies companies and other entities that develop, manufacture, assemble, finally integrate, materially modernize, or sell complete conventional missiles, guided or unguided military rockets, torpedoes, or complete systems and purpose-built fixed installations that perform their launch function. This includes ballistic, cruise, interceptor, hypersonic, anti-air, anti-surface, anti-ship, anti-submarine, anti-armour, air-launched, surface-launched, submarine-launched, and comparable military weapons, together with transport-erector-launchers, multiple-launch rocket systems, vertical-launch systems, torpedo launch systems, integrated canister launchers, and fixed launch cells. Responsibility for a complete weapon, complete launcher, or dedicated launch installation is required; separately supplied warheads, fuzes, guidance, propulsion, structural assemblies, launch-control equipment, handling equipment, and other components are classified under the applicable munitions or component screen. Crew-portable light weapons, reusable weaponized unmanned platforms, civil space-launch activity without a verified weapon role, and nuclear-only missile or launch systems are classified separately.

Type
Evaluated
Version
2026.08.21.2
Published
Aug 21, 2026
Inclusions
5
Exclusions
7
How to read this definition

Inclusion criteria describe evidence that can establish this activity. Exclusion criteria identify circumstances that do not establish it on that basis alone. The evaluation remains connected to its taxonomy version and supporting evidence.

Can establish this activity

Included when supported

Evidence may support involvement when it matches one or more of these inclusion criteria.

5 criteria
  1. 01Criterion

    Complete Conventional Missile and Guided-Weapon Systems

    Defined as: Companies and other entities that design, develop, manufacture, assemble, finally integrate, materially modernize, or sell complete conventional guided weapons, including ballistic, cruise, interceptor, hypersonic, surface-to-air, air-to-air, surface-to-surface, air-to-surface, anti-ship, anti-submarine, anti-armour, or comparable missile and guided-rocket systems. Complete-system responsibility may be established through prime-contract, design-authority, final-assembly, final-integration, certification, modernization-authority, or complete-system sales evidence and does not require the entity to manufacture every subassembly or payload.

  2. 02Criterion

    Complete Non-Portable Unguided Military Rocket Systems

    Defined as: Companies and other entities that design, develop, manufacture, assemble, finally integrate, materially modernize, or sell complete non-crew-portable unguided military rockets or integrated rocket weapon systems, including rockets used in multiple-launch rocket systems. A complete-rocket role requires responsibility for the operational rocket as a product or contract deliverable, even where the warhead, fuze, or launcher is separately procured.

  3. 03Criterion

    Complete Military Torpedo Systems

    Defined as: Companies and other entities that design, develop, manufacture, assemble, finally integrate, materially modernize, or sell complete military torpedoes, including heavyweight, lightweight, anti-submarine, anti-surface, rocket-assisted, or comparable self-propelled underwater strike weapons. Reusable unmanned underwater platforms are classified under Weaponized Unmanned Platforms and Combat Systems, while separately supplied warheads, seekers, propulsion modules, guidance units, batteries, or other torpedo components are classified under their applicable munitions or component screen.

  4. 04Criterion

    Complete Launch Systems and Purpose-Built Launch Installations

    Defined as: Companies and other entities that design, develop, manufacture, assemble, finally integrate, materially modernize, or sell complete launch systems for qualifying conventional missiles, rockets, or torpedoes, or that construct or materially modernize purpose-built fixed installations that mechanically contain, position, eject, or launch such weapons. This includes transport-erector-launchers, complete multiple-launch rocket launchers, vertical-launch systems, integrated canister launchers, aircraft or shipborne launcher and ejector systems, submarine launch tubes, torpedo tubes, fixed launch cells, and hardened launcher emplacements. Separately supplied rails, tubes, canisters, launch-control units, handling equipment, telemetry, tracking equipment, carrier chassis, or civil works do not qualify without responsibility for the complete launcher or dedicated launch installation.

  5. 05Criterion

    Complete-System Sales, Brokering, Distribution, and Supply

    Defined as: Companies and other entities that sell, export, distribute, broker, transfer, lease, or supply identified complete conventional missiles, military rockets, torpedoes, or complete launch systems in their own commercial or contractual capacity. Transport, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, financing, insurance, warehousing, or other logistics performed only as a service does not establish qualifying complete-system supply.

Does not establish this activity on its own

Excluded on this basis alone

These circumstances do not establish this activity unless separate evidence also meets an inclusion criterion.

7 criteria
  1. 01Criterion

    Historical-Only Complete-System or Launcher Involvement

    Defined as: Entities with verified past design, development, manufacture, assembly, final integration, material modernization, construction, sale, export, distribution, brokerage, transfer, or supply of a qualifying complete conventional missile, rocket, torpedo, launch system, or purpose-built launch installation, where reliable evidence establishes that the qualifying activity has fully ceased, been divested, transferred, dismantled, terminated, or otherwise ended and no current qualifying involvement remains. Historical-only activity does not qualify as current involvement. Preserve the historical record separately with the activity period, effective cessation or transfer date, relevant entity, product, programme, facility, or contract, and supporting evidence. Absence of recent evidence alone is not sufficient to establish cessation.

  2. 02Criterion

    Man-Portable and Crew-Portable Light Weapons

    Defined as: Companies and other entities whose identified products are limited to complete man-portable or crew-portable anti-aircraft, anti-tank, anti-armour, shoulder-fired, recoilless, rocket-propelled-grenade, missile, or rocket weapon systems normally carried and operated in combat configuration by an individual or small crew without a vehicle, carriage, fixed mount, or comparable platform. These products are classified under Small Arms and Light Weapons. A larger vehicle-, vessel-, aircraft-, or fixed-mounted system is not considered crew-portable merely because individual rounds, canisters, or subassemblies can be carried by personnel.

  3. 03Criterion

    Nuclear-Only and Dual-Capable Missile and Launch Systems

    Defined as: Companies and other entities whose identified product or role is limited to a missile, launcher, or launch installation designed, designated, certified, operationally assigned, or materially modified to deliver nuclear warheads are classified under the applicable Nuclear Weapons screens. A dual-capable system also qualifies under Missiles, Rockets, Torpedoes and Launch Systems only when separate evidence establishes a conventional configuration, payload, procurement, contract deliverable, or operational role; theoretical adaptability, generic platform capability, or an unsupported nuclear-capable label is insufficient.

  4. 04Criterion

    Warheads, Guidance, Propulsion, and Other Components Without Complete-System Responsibility

    Defined as: Companies and other entities that supply only conventional warheads, explosive payloads, fuzes, seekers, guidance or navigation sets, propulsion stages or motors, airframes, control actuators, launch-control units, canisters, tubes, rails, handling equipment, telemetry, tracking equipment, or other parts without responsibility for a complete missile, rocket, torpedo, or complete launch system. Complete conventional warheads, payloads, fuzes, and initiation systems are classified under Conventional Ammunition, Bombs and Explosive Munitions; other qualifying dedicated subsystems are classified under Military Weapons Components and Subsystems.

  5. 05Criterion

    Carrier Platforms, Support Vehicles, and Generic Infrastructure Without Launcher Responsibility

    Defined as: Companies and other entities that manufacture aircraft, ships, submarines, ground vehicles, reusable unmanned platforms, buildings, roads, pads, shelters, depots, or other infrastructure that can carry, host, store, transport, or support missiles, rockets, or torpedoes but do not develop, manufacture, finally integrate, materially modify, or construct the complete launcher or purpose-built launch installation. Independently qualifying carrier platforms, transport systems, bases, or infrastructure are classified under their applicable screens.

  6. 06Criterion

    Civil Space Launch, Scientific Rockets, and Generic Aerospace Products

    Defined as: Companies and other entities whose identified products or services are limited to civil, commercial, or scientific space-launch vehicles, launch services, sounding rockets, research rockets, civil launch sites, satellite propulsion, or generic aerospace products without a verified military weapon, military launcher, or conventional-strike role. Export-control classification, range or payload capability, use of missile-relevant technology, or theoretical convertibility alone does not establish factual involvement.

  7. 07Criterion

    Unverified Programme or Contract References

    Defined as: Companies named only in broad missile, defence, sanctions, or procurement references that do not identify the legal entity, exact system, deliverable, and time period.

Evidence and evaluation methodology

How sources, entity pathways, decisions, qualifiers, and review history are handled.

Map screens to a client policy

How to choose provider screens, document coverage, and decide what happens after an outcome.

Other screens under Military Weapons, Munitions and Combat Platforms