Ballistic Missiles

Subject – Science and Tech

Context – UAE shoots down 2 ballistic missiles fired by Houthis over Abu Dhabi

Concept –

A ballistic missile follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver one or more warheads on a predetermined target.
It is a rocket-propelled self-guided strategic-weapons system that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload from its launch site to a predetermined target.
These weapons are guided only during relatively brief periods—most of the flight is unpowered.
Short-range ballistic missiles stay within the Earth’s atmosphere, while intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are launched on a sub-orbital trajectory.
These weapons are in a distinct category from cruise missiles, which are aerodynamically guided in powered flight.
They can be launched from aircraft, ships, and submarines in addition to land-based silos and mobile platforms.
Ballistic missiles can carry conventional high explosives as well as chemical, biological, or nuclear munitions.

Ballistic Missile Classes and Range

Difference Between Ballistic Missiles and Cruise Missiles

Unlike the long arcing trajectory of a ballistic missile, a cruise missile travels at lower altitudes and on far straighter trajectories.
Cruise missiles don’t leave the atmosphere at any point during their flight, nor do they travel unpowered for any significant duration.
Cruise missiles can be launched from land, sea or air for land attacks and anti-shipping purposes, and can travel at subsonic, supersonic and hypersonic speeds.
A cruise missile either locates its target or has a preset target.
Since they stay relatively close to the surface of the earth, they cannot be detected easily by anti-missile systems, and are designed to carry large payloads with high precision.