Types of weapons

In Modern Warships, there are many types of weaponry — from missile systems to grenade launchers. To fully unlock a ship’s combat potential, you need to understand the characteristics of each weapon type, as well as its purpose and application tactics. This article covers the main types of armament, their functions and key usage features.

Missiles

Missile armament is installed on almost all ships. For the most part, missiles can be divided into two types:

• anti0‑ship missiles (ASM);
• ballistic missiles for submarines (SLBM), which have a special guidance system compared to the more common ASMs.

Anti‑ship missiles (ASM)

The most common type. Before launch, you must lock onto the target until full acquisition — this action is indicated by a special marker. After launch, the missile reaches its target independently, requiring no further action from the player. Note that this type of missile is further divided into conditional subclasses.

Anti‑submarine missiles

A type of missile that delivers a small homing torpedo to the target. As it approaches the target, the missile drops the torpedo by parachute, after which it continues moving towards the ship or submarine. An effective means of combating submarines.

Laser‑guided missiles

Missiles that require manual guidance to the target at all stages of flight. They allow you to attack targets from behind cover and deal damage to partially visible enemies. Due to their unique guidance method, they can hit targets regardless of the active use of flares.

Anti‑air missiles

A class of missiles capable of attacking enemy aircraft, significantly increasing the ship’s defence against air threats. Unlike conventional air defence systems, they require manual guidance and targeting. They can also hit surface targets, but with less damage compared to regular ASMs.

SLBM (Submarine‑Launched Ballistic Missile)

A separate type of missile armament used by submarines. Target acquisition works differently from anti‑ship missiles, where the enemy must be in direct visual contact. This is a tactical aiming mode: not just a top‑down view, but a simulation of a high‑precision aiming system, where your camera “moves” during SLBM targeting.

Guns

This type of armament is present on almost all ship classes. Typically, they are used to deal significant one‑time damage with high reliability. Guns are especially effective on battleships and ships equipped with two or more guns. Like missiles, guns are divided into several types, including:

• railguns;
• guns capable of engaging air targets.

Torpedoes

This type of weaponry is designed to engage targets at any range and conduct  Anti‑submarine warfare. Countermeasures against torpedoes include:

• grenade launchers;
• special anti‑torpedo autocannons;
• torpedo decoys (a special type of consumable available on submarines).

Grenade launchers

A universal class of weaponry that fires along a high‑arc trajectory at almost any range. They allow attacking targets from behind cover, hitting surface and submarine targets through area‑of‑effect damage. In simple terms, this is a rocket artillery system that can be mounted on almost any ship.

Anti‑Air Defense (AA)

Anti‑air defense systems automatically engage any air threats.

Machine‑gun AA

Creates a dense stream of small‑calibre rounds. Most effective at short ranges and  primarily designed to protect against missile spam.

Missile AA

Uses missiles to engage air targets. Effective against aircraft and single missiles, as well as missile spam if it has area‑of‑effect damage. A significant drawback is that  aircraft and helicopters can deploy flares that disrupt guidance.

Combined AA

Combines machine‑gun and missile systems, providing effective protection at all  ranges against any air threats.

Laser AA

Engages targets with a laser beam. Especially effective against single missiles.

Silo‑based AAA special type of AA available on some ships. It consists of vertical  launch systems. Operationally similar to missile AA, but cannot be replaced.

Autocannons

Damage to ships and threat defence

Autocannons fire automatically at surface targets, and some models can also engage air targets. They do not appear on the weapon panel. Autocannons are divided into:

• machine‑gun types;
• missile‑combined types;
• anti‑torpedo/anti‑submarine types.

Most often, autocannons are installed to enhance a ship’s anti‑missile defence, but there are models designed solely for dealing damage to surface targets.

There are also specialised autocannons capable of engaging torpedoes and submarines. For example:

• PAKET‑NK destroys both torpedoes and submarines using torpedoes;
• AFGS engages torpedoes exclusively with missiles, but does so with increased efficiency.