The ABC of Missile Race

North Korea's latest missile test shows it can 'hit any part of the world', analysts have said. A look at the operational missile 

What is a Missile?

A missile is essentially a sophisticated bomb

 Once released, a bomb is governed by the laws of ballistics, which means only the force of gravity acts upon it

By attaching a propulsion system, it can be made more accurate and faster

A bomb with a propulsion system is called a rocket

If guided and controlled, a rocket can be made deadlier — and that is what a missile is

Missiles are classified variously based on the launching system

Thus, missiles can be surface-to-surface (SSM), air-to-surface (ASM), air-to-air, etc

Based on the working principle, missiles can be ballistic or cruise and classified by range and proposed use — strategic or tactical

 Key to modern warfare, missiles can carry tons of nuclear warheads at speeds way higher than fighter planes

Who Has How Many Ballistic Missile Systems

 

How Is A Ballistic Missile Different From A Cruise One?

A ballistic missile is used to hit a predetermined target —launched such that it burns most of its fuel to attain the desired velocity in the first phase, also called the boost phase. Such a missile can only be guided during the powered phase of flight. Easy to detect, but it's almost impossible to intercept it.

A cruise missile, on the other hand, is a small pilotless craft that carries an explosive warhead. It has wings and an engine, but is built more economically. It is steered by inertial navigation system (INS), that's also used by airplanes. A cruise missile can be made so accurate that it can be aimed at any specific place like a door or a window. Its flight can be guided for a longer period.

India's Agni and Prithvi are ballistic missile systems while BrahMos is a cruise missile system

Overall 31 countries have operational ballistic missile systems.

China has the highest number of different systems, while the US has 4