# "Nuclear capable" missiles

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-capable-missiles/173810>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 8, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-capable-missiles/173810 "2003-05-08T01:42:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-capable-missiles/173810/1 "2003-05-08T01:42:46Z")

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Occasionally one will see references to the missile programs of various nations referring to a particular missile as “nuclear capable”. What distinct features define such a capacity?

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**Author:** ![MajorTom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@MajorTom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MajorTom)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-capable-missiles/173810/2 "2003-05-08T01:50:26Z")

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Means that the delivery device (missile) is designed with capability to carry a nuclear payload or a conventional warhead. Keeping in mind when carrying a nuclear payload, the missile must have a minimum range as well as the often touted maximum range. One wouldn’t want to blow oneself up would one?