Intercontinental ballistic missiles made it possible for a country possessing them to shoot down enemy airplanes. strike targets far away. launch satellites into space. detect enemy troops at night.

A missile is classified as an intercontinental ballistic missile when it has a range exceeding 5,500 kilometers or 3,400 miles and is capable of delivering nuclear warheads. This means that the large range of intercontinental ballistic missiles makes it possible for a country possessing them to strike targets far away.