MISSILE

Self-propelledprojectileusedasaweapon.
Major classification

ThewordMissilecomesfromtheLatinverbMittere, meaning"to send". send

Ballistic missile

Cruise missile

BALLISTIC MISSILE

CRUISE MISSILE

Ballistic missiles are big, heavy and expensive. These missiles reach heights beyond the atmosphere and then reenter at the target destination. They can be seen by Radars. They are launched vertically and only from ground or submarines. Example.- Agni, Prithvi

Cruise missiles are smaller, lighter and less expensive. They donot exit the atmosphere but rather hug the ground and stay very close to the ground. They cannot be seen by Radars. They can be launched from ground, submarines or aircraft. Example.BrahMos(Supersonic cruise)

Thefirstmissilesusedoperationallyweredeveloped byNaziGermanyinWorldWarII. NaziGermany WorldWarII Famous of these are : V-1flyingbomb V-2

heyusedasimplemechanicalAutopilot

 Guidedmissileshaveanumberofdifferent

systemcomponents:

Targeting and/or guidance

Missiles may be targeted in a number of ways, to guide the missile onto its target. The most common method is to use some form ofradiation. Another method is to target the missile by knowing the location of the target, and using a guidance system such asINS,TERCOMorGPS. This guidance system guides the missile by knowing the missile's current position and the position of the target, and then calculating a course between them.

Flight system
Whether a guided missile uses a targeting system, a guidance system or both, it needs a flight system. The flight system uses the data from the guidance system to maneuver the missile in flight. There are two main systems: 1. Vectored thrust (for Cruise missiles). 2. Aerodynamic maneuvering (for Ballistic missiles.).

Warhead
Missiles generally have one or more explosive warheads. The warheads of a missile provides its primary destructive power. Warheads are most commonly of thehigh explosivetype.

Engine
Missiles are powered by an Engine, generally either a type of Rocket or Jet Engine. Ballistic missiles generally useRocket Engines. Cruise missiles generally us Jet Engines.

Missilesaregenerallycategorizedbytheirlaunch platformandintendedtarget.

Theyare:

Surface-to-Surface/Air-to-Surface Surface-to-air Air-to-air

 These

missiles are again sub divided They are:

 These

missiles are again sub divided They are:

Anair-to-air missile(AAM)isaguidedmissilefiredfromanaircraft forthepurposeofdestroyinganotheraircraft/Target Guidanceofthissystemaredifferentforseveraltypesandapplications. Theyarebasedon Radar Infrared Laserguidance Opticaltrackingmethods.

PrithviAirDefenseMissileBrahmosandthelaunchcanister

AgnimissilesystemAkashMissile&BMP-2launcher.

Prithvi
Prithvi was the first missile(ballistic missile) to be developed under the Program. The Prithvi missile project encompassed developing 3 variants manner--1. Prithvi I - Army Version (150km range with a payload of 1,000kg) 2. Prithvi II - Air Force Version (250km range with a payload of 500kg) 3. Prithvi III - Naval Version (350km range with a payload of 500kg) 4. Dhanush- Dhanush is reportedly a naval version of Prithvi which can be launched from Ships.

BrahMos
BrahMosis asupersonic cruise missile. It can be launched fromsubmarines, ships, aircraft or land. It is the world's fastestcruise missilein operation. BrahMos claims to have the capability of attacking surface targets as low as 10 metres in altitude. It can gain a speed of Mach 2.8, and has a maximum range of 290km.

Agni
TheAgni missile is a family of medium to intercontinental range ballistic missiles. the Agni missile family comprises three deployed variants 1. Agni-IMedium range ballistic missile, 700 1200km range. 2. Agni-IIintermediate range ballistic missile, 2,000- 2,500km range. 3. Agni-IIIintermediate range ballistic missile, 3,000 - 5,500km range. 4. Agni-IVintermediate range ballistic missile, 3,200- 3,700 km range

Defence scientists on Tuesday successfully test-fired the most advanced long range missile, Agni-4, taking the country to a new high. Agni-IV was tested on November 15, 2011 (LAST TUESDAY) from Wheeler island off the coast of the eastern state ofOrissa.. Themissilewent in a text book trajectory and reached a height of about 900 km before landing at the pre-designated target in the international waters of Bay of Bengal.