---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 2332g"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "2332g"
heading: "Missile systems designed to destroy aircraft"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/2332g"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 113B — Terrorism"
---

# §2332g. Missile systems designed to destroy aircraft

- (a) **Unlawful Conduct.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Except as provided in [paragraph (3)](#a-3), it shall be unlawful for any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) to knowingly produce, construct, otherwise acquire, transfer directly or indirectly, receive, possess, import, export, or use, or possess and threaten to use—
    - (A) an [explosive](/usc/18/841.md?p=d) or incendiary rocket or missile that is guided by any system designed to enable the rocket or missile to—
      - (i) seek or proceed toward energy radiated or reflected from an [aircraft](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-1) or toward an image locating an [aircraft](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-1); or
      - (ii) otherwise direct or guide the rocket or missile to an [aircraft](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-1);
    - (B) any device designed or intended to launch or guide a rocket or missile described in [subparagraph (A)](#a-1-A); or
    - (C) any part or combination of parts designed or redesigned for use in assembling or fabricating a rocket, missile, or device described in subparagraph [(A)](#a-1-A) or [(B)](#a-1-B).
  - (2) **Nonweapon.—** [Paragraph (1)(A)](#a-1-A) does not apply to any device that is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon.
  - (3) **Excluded conduct.—** This subsection does not apply with respect to—
    - (A) conduct by or under the authority of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or any department or agency thereof or of a [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) or any department or agency thereof; or
    - (B) conduct pursuant to the terms of a contract with the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or any department or agency thereof or with a [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) or any department or agency thereof.
- (b) **Jurisdiction.—** Conduct prohibited by [subsection (a)](#a) is within the jurisdiction of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) if—
  - (1) the offense occurs in or affects [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2);
  - (2) the offense occurs outside of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) and is committed by a [national of the United States](/usc/18/178.md?p=5);
  - (3) the offense is committed against a [national of the United States](/usc/18/178.md?p=5) while the national is outside the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9);
  - (4) the offense is committed against any property that is owned, leased, or used by the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or by any department or agency of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), whether the property is within or outside the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9); or
  - (5) an offender aids or abets any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) over whom jurisdiction exists under this subsection in committing an offense under this section or conspires with any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) over whom jurisdiction exists under this subsection to commit an offense under this section.
- (c) **Criminal Penalties.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) who violates, or attempts or conspires to violate, [subsection (a)](#a) shall be fined not more than $2,000,000 and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not less than 25 years or to imprisonment for life.
  - (2) **Other circumstances.—** Any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) who, in the course of a violation of [subsection (a)](#a), uses, attempts or conspires to use, or possesses and threatens to use, any item or items described in [subsection (a)](#a), shall be fined not more than $2,000,000 and imprisoned for not less than 30 years or imprisoned for life.
  - (3) **Special circumstances.—** If the death of another results from a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5)’s violation of [subsection (a)](#a), the [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) shall be fined not more than $2,000,000 and punished by imprisonment for life.
- (d) **Definition.—** As used in this section, the term “[aircraft](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-1)” has the definition set forth in [section 40102(a)(6) of title 49](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-6), United States Code.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, § 6903, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3770.)