Self-destruct timing for the warhead if the missile has not hit the target is?

• A. 17 seconds
• B. 5 seconds
• C. 10 seconds
• D. 30 seconds

Answer: (A)

Self-destruct timing is a safety feature built into missiles to ensure the warhead is never left active if the target isn’t hit. If the system never receives a confirmed intercept or impact, a predefined timeout triggers destruction of the warhead to prevent drifting, loss of control, or capture by adversaries. The important point is that there is a finite timer—the exact number of seconds is specific to the weapon’s design and usually classified—so the concept tested is the existence of a fail-safe that disables or destroys the warhead after a short, fixed interval. The specific second count can vary between systems, so focusing on the idea of a built-in time limit is what the question aims to assess.