Launch vehicles, missiles, rockets and other ordnance — USML Category IV
Controls rockets, space launch vehicles, missiles, bombs, torpedoes, mines and grenades, sorted by payload and range rather than by intended use.
The entry, quoted as it reads today
* (a) Rockets, space launch vehicles (SLVs), missiles, bombs, torpedoes, depth charges, mines, and grenades, as follows: (1) Rockets, SLVs, and missiles capable of delivering at least a 500-kg payload to a range of at least 300 km (MT); (2) Rockets, SLVs, and missiles capable of delivering less than a 500-kg payload to a range of at least 300 km (MT); (3) Man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS); (4) Anti-tank missiles and rockets; (5) Rockets, SLVs, and missiles not meeting the criteria of paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this category; (6) Bombs; (7) Torpedoes; (8) Depth charges; (9) Anti-personnel, anti-vehicle, or anti-armor land mines (e.g., area denial devices); (10) Anti-helicopter mines; (11) Naval mines; or (12) Fragmentation and high explosive hand grenades. Note 1 to paragraph ( a ): “Range” is the maximum distance that the specified rocket system is capable of traveling in the mode of stable flight as measured by the projection of its trajectory over the surface of the Earth. The maximum capability based on the design characteristics of the system, when fully loaded with fuel or propellant, will be taken into consideration in determining range. The range for rocket systems will be determined independently of any external factors such as operational restrictions, limitations imposed by telemetry, data links, or other external constraints. For rocket systems, the range will be determined using the trajectory that maximizes range, assuming International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard atmosphere with zero wind. Note 2 to paragraph ( a ): “Payload” is the total mass that can be carried or delivered by the specified rocket, SLV, or missile that is not used to maintain flight. Note 3 to paragraph ( a ): This paragraph does not control model and high power rockets (as defined in National Fire Protection Association Code 1122) and kits thereof made of paper, wood, fiberglass, or plastic containing no substantial metal parts and designed to be flown with hobby rocket motors that are certified for consumer use. Such rockets must not contain active controls (e.g., RF, GPS). Note 4 to paragraph ( a ): ”Mine” means a munition placed under, on, or near the ground or other surface area and designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person or vehicle.
Corpus last verified 2026-08-29. Skenai never shows unquoted regulation.
In plain language
Category IV(a) enumerates powered ordnance and the vehicles that deliver it. The list runs from rockets and space launch vehicles through bombs, torpedoes, depth charges, mines and hand grenades. Paragraph (a)(5) is a catch-all for rockets, launch vehicles and missiles that do not match the earlier paragraphs.
A system able to carry at least 500 kg to at least 300 km sits in (a)(1). The same range with a lighter payload sits in (a)(2). Both carry the missile technology designation.
The notes define the measurements. Range is the maximum distance in stable flight, computed from design characteristics with full propellant, in ICAO standard atmosphere with zero wind. Payload is the total mass carried that is not used to maintain flight.
The questions this entry turns on
- 01Can the vehicle deliver at least a 500 kg payload to a range of at least 300 km?
- 02Is the article a rocket, space launch vehicle or missile at all, which pulls in the (a)(5) catch-all?
- 03Is range computed on the trajectory that maximises range, with full fuel and no external limits applied?
- 04Is the mass in question carried rather than used to maintain flight, which is what counts as payload?
- 05Does Note 3 apply: a hobby rocket of paper, wood, fibreglass or plastic, no substantial metal, no active controls?
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What typically falls in, and what typically falls out
Typically in
- A sounding rocket with active fin control and GPS guidance, which typically falls outside the Note 3 hobby exclusion
- A small liquid-fuel launch vehicle intended to place cubesats in orbit, which is typically an SLV under (a)(5)
- A guided glide munition airframe, which typically reads onto the enumerated ordnance paragraphs
Typically out
- A fibreglass high power rocket kit flown on consumer-certified motors with no RF or GPS control, typically excluded by Note 3
- A weather balloon payload gondola, which is typically not a rocket, launch vehicle or missile
- A ground test stand and its load cells, typically outside the (a) enumeration of end items
These are typical cases, not determinations. Which side a specific product lands on turns on the answers in the Interview.
Adjacent entries
- Spacecraft and related articles — USML Category XV22 CFR 121.1, Category XV(a)
- Aircraft and related articles — USML Category VIII22 CFR 121.1, Category VIII(a)
- Specially designed — 22 CFR 120.4122 CFR 120.41
Does your product land on this entry?
The Interview asks 5 to 9 questions, only the ones this entry turns on, and names the Determination free. The Dossier is the dated, cited record of how it was reached.
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