Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
Ballistic Missile Vs Cruise Missile
| Ballistic Missile | Cruise Missile | |
| Flight Path | Follows a high parabolic trajectory.
Launched into space or near-space and falls back to Earth toward its target due to gravity. |
Flies at a relatively low altitude, following a straight or level flight path using aerodynamic lift, much like an airplane. |
| Propulsion | Rocket Powered | Jet Powered |
| Speed | Extremely fast, often reaching hypersonic speeds (Mach 5 or above) during reentry. | Typically subsonic (below the speed of sound), but some variants can reach supersonic speeds. |
| Range | Can cover long distances, including intercontinental ranges (ICBMs). | Usually has a shorter range compared to ballistic missiles but can still cover significant distances. |
| Guidance | Initially guided during launch but mostly unpowered and unguided in its midcourse and reentry phases. | Highly precise, guided by GPS, inertial navigation systems, or terrain-mapping systems throughout its flight. |
| Use | Primarily designed for strategic long-range attacks and is capable of carrying nuclear, chemical, or conventional warheads. | Designed for precision strikes against specific targets such as military installations, ships, or infrastructure, and can carry conventional or nuclear warheads. |
Ballistic Missiles:
- Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs): These long-range ballistic missiles are capable of traveling thousands of kilometers and are primarily used for delivering nuclear warheads. Eg: Agni-V
- Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs): MRBMs have a shorter range compared to ICBMs and are typically used for regional deterrence and strike capabilities.
- Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs): SRBMs have a limited range and are often used for tactical purposes, including battlefield targets.
Cruise Missiles:
- Subsonic Cruise Missiles: These missiles fly at speeds below the speed of sound (subsonic) and are often used for precision strikes against ground or naval targets. Eg: Nirbhay.
- Supersonic Cruise Missiles: Supersonic cruise missiles travel at speeds exceeding the speed of sound (supersonic) and offer enhanced speed and maneuverability. Eg: Brahmos.
Why in News?
- China has successfully test fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean recently.
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