Soft launch (missile)

{{Short description|Method of launching a missile}}

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File:Army-fgm148.jpg anti-tank missile. While the ejection charge inside of the missile silo has been ignited, the main engine of the missile has not yet been ignited.]]

Soft launching is the method of launching a missile (such as an anti-tank guided missile) in such a way that the rocket motor ignites outside of the launch tube; the missile is ejected non-explosively. The objective is to minimize the risk of damage to the launcher by maintaining a safe distance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/javelin.html|title = Javelin Weapon System|date = 8 March 2022}} This is in contrast with hard launching, where the missile's rocket engine is ignited while still inside the launch assembly or tube, which generates a backblast area.

A similar concept called cold launch was pioneered by the Soviet Union for application in vertical launch system clusters on board ships.