Amissileis an airborneranged weaponcapable ofself-propelledflight aided usually by apropellant,jet engineorrocket motor.[1]
1.R-36Mintercontinental ballistic missile
2.FGM-148 Javelinanti-tank missile
3.Harpoonanti-ship missile
4.Prithvianti-ballistic missile
5.BrahMoscruise missile
6.RIM-162surface-to-air missile
Historically, 'missile' referred to anyprojectilethat is thrown, shot or propelled towards a target; this usage is still recognized today with any unguided jet- or rocket-propelled weapons generally described asrocket artillery.Airborneexplosive deviceswithout propulsion are referred to asshellsif fired by anartillery pieceandbombsif dropped by an aircraft.[1]
Missiles are also generallyguidedtowards specific targets termed asguided missilesor guidedrockets.Missile systems usually have five system components:targeting,guidance system,flight system,engine,andwarhead.Missiles are primarily classified into different types based on firing source and target such assurface-to-surface,air-to-surface,surface-to-airandair-to-air missiles.
History
Rocketswere the precursor to modern missiles and the first rockets were used as propulsion systems forarrowsas early as the 10th century inChina.[2]Usage of rockets as weapons before modern rocketry is attested to in China,Korea,IndiaandEurope.In the 18th century,iron-cased rocketswere used in India by theKingdom of MysoreandMaratha Empireagainst theBritishwhich was developed intoCongreve rocketand used in theNapoleonic Wars.[3][4]
In the early 20th century,AmericanRobert GoddardandGermanHermann Oberthdeveloped early rockets propelled by jet engines.[5]In the 1920s,Soviet Uniondeveloped solid fuel rockets at theGas Dynamics Laboratory.[6]Later, the first missiles to be used operationally were a series of rocket basedmissilesdeveloped byNazi GermanyduringWorld War IIincluding theV-1 flying bombandV-2 rocketwhich used mechanicalautopilotto keep the missile flying along a pre-chosen route.[7]Less well known were a series ofanti-shipandanti-aircraftmissiles, typically based on a simpleradio control(command guidance) system directed by the operator. However, these early systems in World War II were only built in small numbers.[8][9][10]After World War II, the advent of theCold Warand development ofnuclear weaponsnecessitated faster, accurate and versatile missiles with longer range and missile development was pursued by multiple countries.
Components
Guidance, targeting and flight systems
A missile is most often guided by a guidance system though there are missiles that are unguided during some phases of flight.[11]Missile guidance refers to methods of guiding a missile to its intended target. Effective guidance is important because reaching the target position accurately and precisely is a critical factor for its effectiveness.[12]The missile guidance system accomplishes this by four steps: tracking the target, computing the directions using tracking information, directing the computed inputs to steering control and steering the missile by directing inputs to motors or flight control surfaces.[13]The guidance system consists of three sections: launch, mid-course and terminal with same or different systems employed across sections.[13]
- Apropellantis packed with a hole in the middle
- Anignitercombusts the propellant
- The hole acts as acombustion chamber
- The hot exhaust is choked at the throat
- Exhaust exits the rocket
The guidance andhomingsystems are generally classified broadly intoactive,semi-activeandpassive.[11]In active homing systems, the missile carries the equipment needed to transmit the radiation needed to illuminate the target and receive the reflected energy. Once the homing is initiated, the missiledirects independentlytowards the target.[14]In semi-active systems, the source of the radiation is located outside the missile usually in the launch vehicle which might be an aircraft or a ship and the missile will receive the radiation to direct towards the target. As the source is located outside, the launch vehicle needs to continue supporting the missile till it is guided to the intended target.[15]In a passive system, the missile relies solely on the information from the target.[15]The homing system might uselightsuch asinfrared,laserorvisible light,radio wavesor otherelectromagnetic radiationto illuminate the target. Once the guidance system identifies the target, the target might required to be tracked continuously if it is in motion. A guidance system might useINSwhich consists of agyroscopeandaccelerometeror might usesatellite guidance(such asGPS) to track the missile’s position relative to a known target.[16]The missile computers will compute the flight path required to steer the missile towards the target.[15]Incommand guidance,a human operator may operate it manually or a support or launch system will transmit commands by using eitheroptic fiberorradioto guide the missile.[17]The flight system uses the data from the targeting or guidance system to maneuver the missile in flight which might be accomplished usingvectored thrustof engines or aerodynamic maneuvering usingflight control surfacessuch aswings,fins andcanards.[18]
Engine
Missiles are powered bypropellantsigniting to produce thrust and might employ types ofrocketorjet engines.[19]Rockets might be fueled bysolid-propellantswhich are comparatively easier to maintain and enables faster deployment. These propellants contain afuelandoxidizermixed in select proportions with the grain size and burn chamber determining the rate and time of burn.[20]Larger missiles might useliquid-propellant rocketswhere propulsion is provided by a single or combination of liquid fuels.[21]A hybrid system uses solid rocket fuel with a liquid oxidizer.[21]Jet engines are generally used incruise missiles,most commonly of theturbojettype, because of their relative simplicity and low frontal area whileturbofansandramjetscan also be theoretically used.[22][23]Long-range missiles have multiple engine stages and might use similar type or a mix of engine types. Some missiles may have additional propulsion from another source at launch such as acatapult,cannonortank gun.[24]
Warhead
Missiles have one or moreexplosivewarheads,although other weapon types may also be used.[25]The warheads of a missile provide its primary destructive power which might cause secondary destruction due to thekinetic energyof the weapon and unused fuel.[citation needed]Warheads are most commonly of thehigh explosivetype, often employingshaped chargesto exploit the accuracy of a guided weapon to destroy hardened targets. Warhead might carryconventional,incendiary,nuclear,chemical,biologicalorradiological weapons.[26]
Classification
Missiles can be classified into categories by various parameters such as type, launch platform and target, range, propulsion and guidance system.[27]Missiles are generally categorized into strategic or tactical missile systems. Tactical missile systems are short-range systems used to carry out a limited strike in a smaller area and might carry conventional or nuclear warheads.[28][29]Strategic missiles are long-range weapons used to target beyond the immediate vicinity and are mostly designed to carry nuclear warheads though other warheads can also be fitted.[29]
- 1. Launches by firing motor1(A)
- 2. Stage1 drops, motor2(B) ignites & shroud(E) ejects
- 3. Motor3(C) ignites and separates
- 4. Stage3 terminates and post-boost vehicle(D) separates
- 5. Vehicle maneuvers itself and prepares re-entry vehicle (RV)
- 6. RV with decoys and chaffs deploys
- 7. RV re-enters the atmosphere
- 8. Warhead(s) detonate on target
Strategic
Strategic weapons are often classified intocruiseandballistic missiles.[30]Ballistic missiles are powered by rockets during launch and follow a trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target while cruise missiles are continuously powered by jet engines and travel at a flatter trajectory.[30]
Ballistic
A ballistic missile is powered by single or multiple rockets in stages initially before following an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target. It can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.[31]A ballistic missile might reachsupersonicorhypersonicspeed and often travelout oftheEarth's atmospherebefore re-entry.[32]It usually has three stages of flight:[31]
- Boost phase: First phase at launch when one or more stages of rocket engine(s) fire propelling the missile
- Mid-course phase: Second phase when the rocket engines stop firing and the missile continues ascending upwards on the given trajectory
- Terminal phase: Final phase when the warhead(s) detach and descend towards the target
Ballistic missiles are categorized based on range as:[33][30]
- Short-range:less than 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
- Medium-range:1,000 kilometres (620 mi) to 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi)
- Intermediate-range:3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) to 5,500 kilometres (3,400 mi)
- Inter-continental:greater than 5,500 kilometres (3,400 mi)
Cruise
Acruise missileis a guided missile that remains in the atmosphere and flies the major portion of its flight at a constant speed.[34]It is designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high precision and are propelled by jet engines.[31]A cruise missile can be launched from multiple platforms and is often self-guided. It flies at lower speeds (oftensubsonicorsupersonic) and close to the surface of the Earth, which expends more fuel but makes it difficult to detect.[30]
Tactical
Missiles might be also be classified basis launch platform and target intosurface-to-air,surface-to-surface,air-to-air,air-to-surface,anti-shipandanti-tank.[33]
| System | Abbreviation | Launch platform | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-ship | AShM | Air/Land/Water | Water |
| Anti-tank | ATGM | Air/Land | Land |
| Air-to-air | AAM | Air | Air |
| Air-to-surface | ASM | Air | Land |
| Surface-to-air | SAM | Land | Air |
| Surface-to-surface | SSM | Land | Land |
| Anti-satellite | ASAT | Air/Land/Water | Space |
Anti-ship
An anti-ship missile (AShM) is designed for use against largeboatsandshipssuch asdestroyersandaircraft carriers.Most anti-ship missiles are of thesea skimmingvariety, and many use a combination ofinertial guidanceandactive radar homing.A large number of other anti-ship missiles useinfrared homingto follow the heat that is emitted by a ship; it is also possible for anti-ship missiles to be guided by radio command all the way. Many anti-ship missiles can be launched from a variety of weapons systems includingsurface warships,submarines,fighter aircraft,maritime patrol aircraft,helicopters,shore batteries,land vehicles and byinfantry.[35]
Anti-submarine missileis astandoffanti-submarine weaponvariant of anti-ship missiles used to deliver anexplosivewarhead aimed directly at asubmarine,adepth charge,or ahoming torpedo.[36]
Anti-tank
An anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroyheavily armoredmilitary vehicles.ATGMs range in size fromshoulder-launchedweapons, which can be transported by a single soldier, to larger tripod-mounted or vehicle and aircraft mounted missile systems. Earlier man-portableanti-tank weaponslikeanti-tank riflesand magneticanti-tank mineshad a short range but sophisticated antitank missiles can be directed to a longer target by several different guidance systems, including laser guiding, television camera, orwire guiding.[37]
Air-to-air
An air-to-air missile (AAM) is a missile fired from afighter aircraftfor the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or morerocket motors,usuallysolid fueledbut sometimesliquid fueled.Aradarorheat emissionbased homing system is generally used and sometimes can use a combination. Short range missiles used toengage opposing aircraftat ranges of less than 16 km often use infrared guidance whilelong rangemissiles mostly rely upon radar guidance.[38]
Air-to-surface
An air-to-surface missile (ASM) is a missile fired from anattack aircraft,strike fighteror anattack helicopterfor the purpose of destroying land based targets. Missiles are typically guided and unguidedglide bombsnot considered missiles. The most common propulsion systems are rocket motor for short range and jet engines for long-range butramjetsare also used. Missile guidance is typically vialaser,infrared homing,opticalorsatellite.Air-to-surface missiles for ground attack by aircraft provide a higherstandoff distanceengaging targets from far away and out of range of low range air defenses.[38]
Surface-to-air
A surface-to-air missile (SAM) is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroyaircraft,other missiles or flying objects. It is a type ofanti-aircraft systemand missiles have replaced most other forms of anti-aircraft weapons due to the increased range and accuracy.Anti-aircraft gunsare being used only for specialized close-in firing roles.[39]Missiles can be mounted in clusters on vehicles or towed on trailers and can be hand operated by infantry. SAMs frequently use solid-propellants and may be guided by radar or infrared sensors or by a human operator using optical tracking.[38]
Surface-to-surface
A surface-to-surface missile (SSM) is a missile designed to be launched from the ground or the sea and strike targets on land.[40]They may be fired from hand-held or vehicle mounted devices, from fixed installations or from a ship. They are often powered by a rocket engine or sometimes fired by an explosive charge, since the launching platform is typically stationary or moving slowly. They usually have fins and/or wings forliftand stability, although hyper-velocity or short-ranged missiles may use body lift or fly a ballistic trajectory.[41]Most anti-tank and anti-ship missiles are part of surface-to-surface missile systems.[38]
Anti-satellite
An anti-satellite weapon (ASAT) is aspace weapondesigned to incapacitate or destroysatellitesforstrategicortacticalpurposes.[42]Although no ASAT system has yet[update]been utilized inwarfare,a few countries have successfully shot down their own satellites to demonstrate their ASAT capabilities in ashow of force.[43][44][45]ASATs have also been used to remove decommissioned satellites.[46]ASAT roles include defensive measures against an adversary's space-based and nuclear weapons, aforce multiplierfor a nuclearfirst strike,a countermeasure against an adversary'santi-ballistic missile defense(ABM), anasymmetriccounter to a technologically superior adversary, and acounter-valueweapon.[47]
See also
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External links
