A multi-stage hyper-velocity kinetic energy missile (HVKEM) uses a 'missile in a missile' architecture in which the HVKEM includes a 1st stage flight missile and a 2nd stage kill missile that includes a KE-rod penetrator. The flight missile cruises at a relatively low velocity (less than Mach 1.5, typically less than Mach 1) to conserve propellant (weight) and to allow for effective guidance and maneuvering until the missile is in close proximity to the target. When the missile is within the lethal range of the KE- rod penetrator, the kill missile separates and boosts to a much higher velocity (greater than Mach 3, typically greater than Mach 5) and flies unguided to impact the target in less than a second. Waiting to boost the KE-rod until "the last second" reduces the total propellant (weight) needed to deliver the KE-rod on target and simplifies the guidance. The missile may be configured for use with different platforms and different guidance systems but is particularly well suited for use with the existing base of TOW launch containers and platforms satisfying all of the physical, operational and CLOS guidance constraints while maintaining the performance of the KE-rod penetrator.