Soft launch (missile)

Soft launching is the method of launching a missile (such as an anti-tank guided missile) in such a way that the rocket motor ignites outside of the launch tube; the missile is ejected non-explosively. The objective is to minimize the risk of damage to the launcher by maintaining a safe distance.^[1] This is in contrast with hard launching, where the missile's rocket engine is ignited while still inside the launch assembly or tube, which generates a backblast area.

A soft launch using an FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile. While the ejection charge inside of the missile silo has been ignited, the main engine of the missile has not yet been ignited.

A similar concept called cold launch was pioneered by the Soviet Union for application in vertical launch system clusters on board ships.

Examples

Man-portable anti-tank guided missiles that soft launch include:

• FGM-148 Javelin
• Spike
• HJ-12
• NLAW
• MPATGM