SSM Launcher (Tiberian Dawn)

The surface-to-surface missile (SSM) launcher was Nod's artillery vehicle used in the First Tiberium War.

Background
Using the successful MLRS frame, replacing the rocket pods with two large 'Honest John' missiles on special launching racks, the SSM launcher is a rocket artillery vehicle that can deal massive damage to infantry and structures from extreme range, supplementing Nod's conventional artillery.

The technology that goes into the 'Honest John' missiles is quite advanced; the missiles require sophisticated guidance and electronics, so Nod only delivers them to bases guarded by an Obelisk of Light.

These units were phased out by the time the Second Tiberium War began while Nod's conventional artillery had greatly advanced.

Game unit
The most important quality of these launchers is their extreme range. Their missiles have significantly more range than both the Obelisk of Light and the Advanced Guard Tower, and could thus be used to slowly wear down an enemy's defenses. They also outrange GDI's MLRS, allowing SSM Launchers to deliver counter-battery fire against enemy artillery from outside their range.

The SSM Launcher only appears in multiplayer. While The Covert Operations expansion pack features missions with chemical warriors and Apache helicopters, there are no missions where one starts with or can build an SSM launcher, though the Nod AI player does regularly builds and uses them. The only singleplayer mission where it can be built is the fourth dinosaur campaign mission if Nod is the player's chosen side.

Trivia

 * The SSM launcher's obscurity is referenced in the intro of the N64 version of, in which one of the lines during the EVA installation intro's "Armament History" section is "SSM Launcher... SSM Launcher Deleted".