In many short-range ballistic missiles, the entire missile remains intact until the warhead detonates.在许多短程弹道导弹，整个导弹保持不变，直到弹头引爆。 In longer range ballistic missiles, warheads are contained in separating reentry vehicles.更长的中程弹道导弹，弹头载于分离再入飞行器。 Some long-range ballistic missiles carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), with up to 10 reentry vehicles (RVs) per missile.一些远程弹道导弹携带多弹头再入飞行器（ MIRVs ） ，与多达10再入飞行器（ RVs ）每一枚导弹。 RVs reenter the Earth's atmosphere at very high velocities, on the order of 4-5 miles per second at ICBM ranges. RVs重新进入地球大气层在很高的速度，在以4-5英里每秒洲际弹道导弹范围。