Defenders

Defender missiles can only be fires when there are incoming missiles. Some incoming missiles take more than one defender to destroy it. Once a launcher with defenders in it is activated it will start launching missiles at the closest target until there are no more incoming missiles left.

FOF

Friend or Foe missiles do less dmg than regular missiles but can be fired even if the ships targeting is jammed and you are unable to lock on a target.

Missile Range

missiles have thier max velocity in meters/second and their max flight time in seconds. A missiles velocity can be increased by the skill "missile projection" and by some ship bonuses.

Explosion Radius

A missile has an explosion radius and a target has a signature radius. If the target's signature radius is as big or bigger than a missiles explosion radius than full damage can be dealt. If it is smaller then damage will be reduced. Big missiles are for big ships in other words.

Explosion Radius

torpedo - 400m; cruise missile - 300m; heavy missile 150m; light missile 50m; rocket - 50m

Signature Radius

battleship - 400m; cruiser - 125; frigate - 40m

Explosion Velocity

If the target is slower or as fast as the missiles explosion velocity then the missile can deal full damage. If the target is faster then the missile's explosion velocity then the damage will be reduced.

Explosion Velocities

torpedo - 250m/s; cruise missile - 500 m/s; heavy missile - 750 m/s; light missile - 1000 m/s; rockets - 2000 m/s 

A missile's explosion velocity can be increased with the skill "target navigation prediction". Webifiers can also decrease the targets velocity.

EVE Missile Chart Wizard

This is the official chat wizard developed by CCP and it's an awesome tool for all you missile and target needs. You can use the wizard here http://www.eve-online.com/guide/en/g27.asp. Good luck pilots!