V-1 (Fieseler Fi 103) vs V-2 (A4)
Germany's 1944 'vengeance weapons' took two different paths. The V-1 was a primitive cruise missile with a typical operational range of about 250 km; the V-2, the first operational ballistic missile, reached about 320 km. The range gap is small, the conceptual gap huge: the V-1 could be shot down by fighters and anti-aircraft guns, while there was no defence against the V-2.
V-1 (Fieseler Fi 103) · 250 km — V-2 (A4) · 320 km
V-2 (A4) reaches about 1.3 times farther than V-1 (Fieseler Fi 103)
Both lines start at the same point. Each interval multiplies distance: this is not a trajectory or geographic route.
V-1 (Fieseler Fi 103)
250 km · nominal maximum range
Typical operational range; some test variants flew farther.
V-2 (A4)
320 km · nominal maximum range
Approximate design range of the first operational ballistic missile.
Full scale
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* Estimate, variable figure or condition-dependent envelope. It does not indicate accuracy, effectiveness or effects.
Figures used and how reliable they are
- V-1 (Fieseler Fi 103): 250 km. Typical operational range; some test variants flew farther.
- V-2 (A4): 320 km. Approximate design range of the first operational ballistic missile.
Related comparisons
Compare any other pair in the missile range comparison, with its full method. More context: Weapons · Modern warfare · All tools
Sources / References
- CSIS Missile Defense Project, Missile Threat database.
- IISS, The Military Balance (annual editions).
- U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy fact sheets for Minuteman III, Trident II D5 and Tomahawk.
- U.S. Department of Defense, China Military Power Report.