If a missile is overheating, what action should you take?

• A. Fire before it has overheated
• B. Wait for it to cool on its own
• C. Recalibrate the targeting system
• D. Replace the MSL with a spare

Answer: (A)

When a missile is overheated, the priority is to ensure the weapon fires before the heat reaches unsafe levels. Fire now while the missile is still within safe thermal margins to complete the engagement and prevent further heat buildup that could degrade performance or cause a misfire. Waiting for it to cool on its own delays the shot and increases risk, and options like recalibrating the targeting system or swapping to a spare don’t address the immediate heat risk in the current missile. In this training scenario, taking action to deliver the shot while temperature is still within tested limits maintains safety and mission readiness.