What is a missile
A powerful exploding weapon that can be sent long distances through the air
An object or weapon that is fired from a gun or thrown in order to hurt somebody or damage something
Basically any object thrown at a target with the aim of hitting it is a missile.
Type of missiles
Missiles are generally classified on the basis of the path they travel, launch mode, range, propulsion, warhead and guidance system.
Type of missiles on the basis of the path they travel on
1. Cruise Missile
2. Ballistic Missile
Cruise Missile- A cruise missile does not have a definite path. When targeted object changes its path then it ( a cruise missile) also changes its path in order to hit the moving objects.
A cruise missile is unmanned and self propelled (till the time of impact) guided vehicle that sustains flight through aerodynamic lift for most of its flight path whose primary mission is to place an ordnance or special payload on a target.
They fly within the earth's atmosphere and use jet engine technology.
Cruise missiles can be categorised by size, speed, range, and whether launched from land, air, surface, ship or submarine.
Classification of cruise missile on the basis of speed
(I) Subsonic
(II) Supersonic
(III) Hypersonic
Subsonic Cruise Missile Its speed is lesser than that of sound. It travels at a speed of around 0.8 Mach
Supersonic Cruise Missile It travels at a speed of around 2-3 Mach or it travels a kilometre approximately in a second. Example- BRAHMOS
Hypersonic Cruise Missile travels at a speed of more than 5 Mach. BRAHMOS-ll is under development a hypersonic cruise missile which would fly at a speed of more than 5 Mach.
2. Ballistic Missile It is can not be guided again if once it is projected. Its target can not be changed. It becomes unguidable if once it get launched. Short range ballistic missiles travel within earth's atmosphere but long range ballistic missiles fly over outer atmosphere where no oxygen is found that is why rocket engine is used in it. Rocket engine has its own oxidizer. But jet engines uses oxygen from atmosphere.
Ballistic missiles are most often categorized according to their range as
(I) Short Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs)
(II) Medium Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs)
(III) Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs)
(IV) Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)
SRBMs are effective to 300 miles ( 480 km)
MRBMs are effective from 300 miles to 600 miles ( 480 km to 965 km )
IRBMs are effective from 600 miles to 3300 miles ( 965 km to 5310 km)
ICBMs are effective to more than 3300 miles ( 5310 km)
Type of Missiles on the basis of method of launching ( launch mode)
(I) Surface-to-Surface
(II) Surface-to-Air
(III) Air-to-Air
(IV) Air-to-Surface
Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSMs) these missiles are launched from land or surface to a target that is also at surface. These may also be launched from a ship to another ship. Underwater weapons which are launched from a submarine also come under this class of Missiles.
Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) these missiles are launched from surface of earth (ship or ground) to a target which is in the air. SAMs are essential complement of modern air defence systems along with anti-aircraft guns which are used against hostile aircraft.
Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs) these missiles are fired from a flying aircraft to a target which is also in the air. Target may be an aircraft or a helicopter or something like active weapon in the air.
Air-to-Surface Missiles (ASMs) these missiles are also launched from a fighter jet or aircraft that is in the air to a target which is at surface ( ground or ship).
Types of Missiles on the basis of their target
Anti-tank/anti-armour
Anti-personnel
Anti-aircraft/helicopter
Anti-ship/anti-submarine
Anti-satellite
Anti-missile
Depending on the aerodynamic control adopted, a missile is called
Wing controlled
Tail controlled
Canard controlled
Types of missiles based on propulsion system
they have
Solid propulsion
Liquid propulsion, and
Hybrid propulsion
in air-breathing propulsion, we have:
Gas turbine engine jet or propeller
Ramjets or ram-rockets
