surface-to-surface

American  

[sur-fis-tuh-sur-fis] / ˈsɜr fɪs təˈsɜr fɪs /

adjective

1. (of a missile, message, etc.) capable of traveling from a base on the surface of the earth to a target also on the surface.

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adverb

1. from a base on the surface of the earth to a target on the surface.

surface-to-surface British  

adjective

1. of or relating to a missile launched from the surface of the earth against surface targets

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Etymology

Origin of surface-to-surface

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

surface-to-surface

U.S. inventories in Europe of PAC-3 Patriot interceptors and Atacms surface-to-surface missiles are deemed to be ‘beyond critical.’

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

Most of this arsenal is made up of small, man-portable and unguided surface-to-surface artillery rockets.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2023

Moscow also fired air defense missiles that had been configured to a surface-to-surface mode, British officials said in their latest intelligence assessment of the war in Ukraine.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 10, 2023

It added it will also acquire the land-based, long-range, surface-to-surface HIMARS, which includes launchers, missiles and training rockets.

From Reuters ● Jan. 4, 2023

The forces had no surface-to-surface missile capability in 1970.

From Area Handbook for Albania by Sarah Jane Elpern