Ballistic Missiles: An Overview

Why in News?

North Korea recently launched short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters as the U.S. Secretary of State prepared to participate in a democracy summit in South Korea.

Key Facts about Ballistic Missiles

Definition: A ballistic missile is a weapon designed to deliver warheads to a target using projectile motion. It is powered only during its initial phase, with the majority of its flight being unpowered.

Ballistic vs. Cruise Missiles

Ballistic Missiles:
- Powered initially by rockets in one or multiple stages.
- Follow an unpowered, arched trajectory after the initial boost phase.
- Capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads.
- Classified based on range:
  - Short-range: Less than 1,000 km (~620 miles), also called tactical ballistic missiles.
  - Medium-range: Between 1,000-3,000 km (~620-1,860 miles), also called theater ballistic missiles.
  - Intermediate-range: Between 3,000-5,500 km (~1,860-3,410 miles).
  - Long-range: Over 5,500 km (~3,410 miles). For instance, Russia’s Krasnoyarsk ICBM base could target Chicago, which is 9,156 km (~5,689 miles) away.
Stages of Ballistic Missile Flight:
- Boost Phase:
  - Begins at launch and lasts until the rocket engines stop firing.
  - Duration: 3-5 minutes, mostly within the atmosphere.
- Midcourse Phase:
  - Starts after the rockets cease firing.
  - The missile ascends to the highest point of its trajectory before descending.
  - Longest phase (up to 20 minutes for ICBMs) with speeds reaching 24,000 km/h (~15,000 mph).
- Terminal Phase:
  - Warheads reenter the atmosphere, traveling at over 3,200 km/h (~1,988 mph).
  - Ends upon impact or detonation; typically lasts less than a minute.
Cruise Missiles:
- Propelled by jet engines, similar to aircraft.
- Remain within the atmosphere and can fly as low as a few meters above the ground, making detection difficult.
- Self-guided with advanced navigation systems like GPS, terrain mapping, and inertial guidance.
- Advanced models feature cameras for manual guidance or strike cancellation by remote operators.