Missiles can be divided into several categories:

• Battlefield Missiles - Essentially "ground-to-ground".
• Air-to-Ground Missiles - Typically launched from helicopters or attack fighter planes.
• Air-to-Air Missiles - Launched from aircraft at other aircraft in offensive or defensive modes.
• Strategic Missile - ICBMs, MRBMs, etc.
• Ballistic Missile Defense, National Missile Defense
• Launch Vehicles - placing military payloads into orbit