To sign "missile", you will fingerspell the word M-I-S-S-I-L-E. Hold your dominant hand up at about shoulder height with your palm facing outward. Smoothly transition through each letter: form 'M', extend your pinky for 'I', make a fist for 'S' (sliding slightly for the double 'S'), show 'I' again, extend your thumb and index finger for 'L', and curl your fingers in for 'E'. Keep your hand relatively steady and let your fingers do the work.
Sign MILITARY, then fingerspell M-I-S-S-I-L-E, and finish by demonstrating the missile launching using an upward directional sign or classifier.
Sign WE and WATCH, fingerspell M-I-S-S-I-L-E, and use an index finger classifier moving across your field of vision to visually show its flight path.
Fingerspell M-I-S-S-I-L-E, sign TARGET, and then sign MISS by moving your dominant hand past your non-dominant hand to show it failing to connect.
Sign MILITARY, then fingerspell M-I-S-S-I-L-E, and finish by demonstrating the missile launching using an upward directional sign or classifier.
Sign WE and WATCH, fingerspell M-I-S-S-I-L-E, and use an index finger classifier moving across your field of vision to visually show its flight path.
Fingerspell M-I-S-S-I-L-E, sign TARGET, and then sign MISS by moving your dominant hand past your non-dominant hand to show it failing to connect.
While "missile" is often fingerspelled for exactness, many signers use the sign for ROCKET or use a classifier (like an index finger or 'R' handshape shooting forward) to visually describe a projectile's movement in context.
To indicate a double letter like the 'S' in "missile," simply slide your 'S' handshape slightly outward (away from the center of your body) or give it a small, quick bounce.
You don't need to over-exaggerate your mouth movements, but naturally mouthing the word "missile" while you spell it can provide a helpful context clue for the person you are talking to.
