👉 Courier missiles were a class of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) developed primarily by the United States during the Cold War era, designed for rapid deployment and precision strikes against high-value targets. Unlike larger, slower ICBMs, courier missiles had a shorter range but could be launched from mobile platforms like aircraft or ships, allowing for quicker response times. They were equipped with guidance systems that enabled them to fly shorter distances and reach their targets more accurately, making them ideal for delivering nuclear warheads or other critical payloads. These missiles played a significant role in strategic deterrence and were central to the concept of "flexible response" in U.S. nuclear strategy, providing a balance between massive retaliation and limited conventional attacks.
