Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Type 268
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
At approximately N3704 W14929 the Captain and I saw what we believed to be a rocket/missile launch likely from a ship. There was a bright plume followed by residual smoke reaching high into the sky. Then we saw several more flashes that we believed were far in the distance. As we continued on course it became apparent that we were going to fly through the smoke trail of the rocket. This caused us concern due to potential air disturbance from the rocket and concern for another rocket going through the same piece of sky. We decided to turn left approximately 20-30 degrees to avoid it and request a deviation from ATC. After we avoided the smoke; we turned to rejoin the route. Then we received notification from ATC that deviation was denied. At this point I erroneously selected direct to the next fix. I should have selected HDG-LNAV to rejoin the course. Could have been a VVM error as well. Several minutes later we received a message from ATC stating that we were 7 miles off course and requested a position report. We sent the position report then requested direct to our next filed waypoint. This was approved. The rest of the flight was uneventful and no further launches or flashes.
The reporter stated that at first both pilots thought the missile was a great distance off. As their aircraft approached a thin cloud layer which they thought could be the missile's exhaust plume they deviated from their track. They did consider the possibility of a Vandenberg AFB missile launch but considered that a missile launched over 1;500 miles away would probably not be that visible. The event was not reported to ATC because they were uncertain about their perception of the missile's distance. Other aircraft were discussing the event on the common frequency but no one identified the object.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
An air carrier First Officer reported what he believed to be a live missile firing near N37.04 W149.29. The flight deviated but ATC requested they return to track.