1. Range increases via a reduction in warhead mass cause a number of difficulties that should not be overlooked. Most importantly, a warhead mass reduction--and thus a lighter front section--will cause stability problems due to changes in the missile's center of gravity. Moreover, any significant change in the warhead mass would require the generation of a new firing table; this, in turn, would require a small number (perhaps 5-10) of additional flight tests.

2. The theoretical ballistic tendency for warhead mass and range may have little technical or operational meaning. In other words, a zero payload flight or, say, half payload flight is exceedingly unlikely without major modifications to the missile. Moreover, and clearly, in practice it is almost impossible to imagine launch without payload or warhead. In operation, flight range is controlled by proper selection of engine burn time based on a firing table.

	Updated April 2003