Miss Launcher ( Fallout 3 ) Miss Launcher is a unique missile launcher found in " Fallout 3 " . Characteristics . Miss Launcher is a unique version of the standard missile launcher model . It is more comparable to a grenade launcher than a missile launcher , as it has an arcing flight similar to the Fat Man . Standard missiles fired from this weapon do not fly ; instead , the missile - tube itself has been converted to propel them pneumatically . In doing so , both the missile ' s explosive warhead and unused solid rocket fuel are free to detonate together , increasing the missile ' s explosive damage potential by 30 % . A side - effect is this also reduces the chances of giving away your position if fired from hiding , as compared with a regular missile launcher . If used without the aid of V . A . T . S . it is excellent practice for the Fat Man , as you won ' t kill yourself with a badly placed shot , most of the time . The damage bonus comes at the cost of range ; the Miss Launcher ' s drastically underpowered propulsion system renders it incapable of hitting targets farther than 30 feet away , half the range possible with thrown grenades . Because of the nature of the weapon ' s sharp ballistic trajectory , it can be an extremely challenging weapon to aim in real - time . Using this weapon outside of V . A . T . S . isn ' t recommended . However , even in V . A . T . S . , this weapon is horribly inaccurate . The game fails to take into account projectile arc , meaning any shots fired usually fall completely short at medium ranges . In conclusion , practice and experience will help a player determine when to fire real - time or when to use V . A . T . S . Unlike regular missiles , missiles fired from Miss Launcher will not explode on impact , and instead are triggered like grenades , i . e . when hitting a target in V . A . T . S . or after a specific time limit . The Explosives skill determines how long it will take for the missile to explode after hitting the ground . A 100 Explosives skill will cause the missile to explode a few milliseconds after landing . Durability . Miss Launcher is just as durable as the regular missile launcher ; it can fire about 83 missiles from full before breaking . Location . The Miss Launcher is located in a weapons storage room inside Fort Independence , near the center of the map on the bottom floor of the lower levels . The lock will always have to be picked ( 75 Lockpick ) on the front door , unless Defender Rockfowl , Defender Morgan , or Protector Casdin are pickpocketed for the key . However , it is possible to avoid having to fight the inhabitants if the player character completes the unmarked quest , " Outcast Collection Agent " , up to the point when Casdin will trust the player character . This will make the Outcasts inside the Fort friendly . Once inside , go down to the lower level . There are two entrances into the basement . The first way is through an entrance outside that leads directly to the lower level . It , like the main entrance , is a hard locked door . The other way is to go through the main entrance and then proceed down to the lower level from the ground level . However , the second method will lead to a locked door that can only be opened with a hard locked terminal . The password is in the desk next to the door if the player character does not wish to or cannot hack it . Once through the door , the two Outcasts guarding it will usually be armed with a Ripper and a laser rifle . Once dealt with ( if they ' re hostile ) , one should go to the research room with several computers in it . In here there is a computer with a file called Research note - missile launcher . Once the note is read , the Lone Wanderer learns that the Miss Launcher is in the storage room ( Lockpick level 75 needed ) . The key is in one of the footlockers in the barracks . Bugs . Sometimes at close range , V . A . T . S . is exited before the missile detonates , negating the benefit of temporary 1 / 10 damage and potentially killing you . This close - range bug may also lead to freezing issues , the controller will remain rumbling and the console will freeze .