What is a missile? Missile, a rocket-propelled missile intended to carry a high-speed, explosive warhead with great accuracy. Missiles differ from tiny defensive missiles that are accurate within only a few hundred yards, to more larger strategic arms of many thousand miles of range. Nearly all missiles have some type of guidance and control mechanism and are sometimes referred to as guided missiles. The next thing which would come to our mind is, what are missiles used for? A missile can be used in various different ways to damage or destroy a target.
Five main types of Missile weapons:
1. Surface-to-Surface
2. Air-to-Surface
3. Surface-to-Air
4. Air-to-Air
5. Anti-Satellite
R-36 M, Russia – 16,000 km (SS-18 Satan)
The R-36 M (SS-18 Satan) is the longest-range ICBM in the world, with an area of 16,000 km. The R-36 M is also the heaviest ICBM in the world, at a weight of 8.8 t. The R-36 M was designed in different variants, from Mod 1 to Mod 6. The models were constructed from silo-based launch sites to be fired. Some models of the R-36 M will hold 10 multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles (MIRV) warheads with 550 kilotons (kt) to 750kt of yield each.
Dongfeng-41 (DF-41, CSS-X-10), China
Dongfeng-41 (DF-41) is the longest-range ICBM in China, and can kill targets at ranges from 12,000 km to 15,000 km. The three-stage, solid-propellant missile is regarded as one of the toughest ICBMs in the world. The rocket is capable of transporting up to ten different individually targetable re-entry vehicles with a gross payload size of 2500 kg.
DongFeng 5A (DF-5A), China
Dongfeng 5A (Nato reporting name: CSS-4) will hit targets within 13,000 km radius. It is an updated variant of the DF-5 ICBM 12,000 km range and is capable of hitting targets in the Continental United States (CONUS) area. In 1983, China inaugurated the updated DF-5A with a long-range guidance system for greater accuracy. The missile throw weight was also increased from 3000kg to 3200kg.
Hwasong-15, North Korea
The Hwasong-15, also known as KN-22, is a new ICBM developed by North Korea. With a reduced payload, the missile is estimated to reach a maximum range of 13,000km, according to some scientists. Experts, however, believe that an actual nuclear warhead may reduce the overall range. Powered by a two-stage liquid fuel propulsion system, the missile is expected to carry multiple warheads or a single warhead weighing up to 1,000kg. It employs an inertial guidance system with updates from a satellite navigation system.
R-29RMU Sineva (RSM-54), Russia
R-29RMU Sineva, also classified as RSM-54 (Nato code: SS-N-23 Skiff), is a third-generation, submarine-launched ICBM from Russia. The rocket may be borne by Russian Navy Underwater Class Delta IV. During the tests Sineva reached a maximum distance of 11,547 km. The missile was launched in 2007 and is scheduled to work by 2030.
