The error of the conventional velocity numerical integration algorithm was evaluated through the Taylor series expansion. It is revealed that neglecting the second- and higher-order terms of attitude increments will lead to the velocity numerical integration error, which is proportional to the triple cross product of the angular rate and specific force. A selection criterion for the velocity numerical integration algorithm was established for strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) in spinning missiles. The spin angular rate with large amplitude will cause the accuracy of the conventional velocity numerical integration algorithm in SINS to decrease dramatically when the ballistic missile is spinning fast. Therefore, with the second- and higher-order terms of attitude increments considered, based on the rotation vector and the velocity translation vector, the velocity numerical integration algorithm was optimized for SINS in spinning ballistic missiles. The superiority of the optimized algorithm over the conventional one was analytically derived and validated by the simulation. The optimized algorithm turns out to be a better choice for SINS in spinning ballistic missiles and other high-precision navigation systems and high-maneuver applications. The error of the conventional velocity numerical integration algorithm was been through the Taylor series expansion. It is revealed that neglecting the second- and higher-order terms of attitude increments will lead to the velocity numerical integration error, which is proportional to the triple cross product of the angular rate and specific force. A selection criterion for the velocity numerical integration algorithm was established for strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) in spinning missiles. The spin angular rate with large amplitude will cause the accuracy of the conventional velocity numerical integration algorithm in SINS to decrease dramatically when the ballistic missile is spinning fast. Therefore, with the second- and higher-order terms of attitude increments considered, based on the rotation vector and the velocity translation vector, the velocity numerical integration algorithm was optimized for SINS in spinning ballistic missiles. The superiority of the optimi The optimized algorithm turns out to be a better choice for SINS in spinning ballistic missiles and other high-precision navigation systems and high-maneuver applications.