CRUISE AND BALLISTIC MISSILE

• Cruise missiles and ballistic missiles are both advanced weapon systems used in military operations, but they differ significantly in terms of design, operation, and application.

Cruise Missiles

• A cruise missile is a guided missile that flies at a relatively low altitude and uses a jet engine for sustained flight. 
• It follows a programmed path towards its target.

Flight Path:

• Cruise missiles fly at low altitudes (within Earth's atmosphere), often following terrain to avoid detection by radar. 
• They are highly maneuverable and can change their trajectory mid-flight.

Speed:

• Cruise missiles can be subsonic (~0.8 Mach), supersonic (~2-3 Mach), or hypersonic (greater than 5 Mach).

Payload:

• Typically, they carry smaller, single warheads (either conventional or nuclear).

Detection and Interception:

• They are hard to detect due to their low altitude and smaller radar cross-section, but once detected, interception is relatively easier compared to ballistic missiles.

Examples:

• BrahMos missile (a supersonic cruise missile developed by India and Russia) is an example of a widely known cruise missile.
• Tomahawk missile (a subsonic, long-range cruise missile used by the U.S. Navy) is another example.

Advantages:

• Precision targeting and flexibility due to the ability to adjust flight paths.
• Can be launched from multiple platforms (land, sea, or air).

Disadvantages:

• Lower speed and range compared to ballistic missiles.
• Easier to intercept once detected.

Ballistic Missiles

• A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a ballistic trajectory, which involves a high-speed ascent to a high altitude followed by a free-fall descent to the target. 
• It is powered by rockets during the initial launch phase, then travels unpowered through space or upper atmosphere.

Flight Path:

• Ballistic missiles follow a parabolic or ballistic trajectory, with a high upward trajectory before descending back to Earth. 
• Once they leave the atmosphere, they re-enter to strike the target.

Speed:

• Ballistic missiles travel at extremely high speeds and cover long distances. 
• They can achieve hypersonic speeds (greater than 5 Mach).

Payload:

• Larger payloads, including multiple warheads (MIRVs – Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles), are carried by ballistic missiles. 
• These warheads can be conventional or nuclear.

Detection and Interception:

• Ballistic missiles are easier to detect due to their high-altitude flight path, but they are difficult to intercept because of their high speed and re-entry into the atmosphere.

Examples:

• Prithvi and Agni missiles (used by India) are examples of short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
• ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles) are long-range missiles capable of traveling over 5,500 kilometres and are capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

Advantages:

• Long-range capability and ability to carry larger payloads.
• Harder to intercept due to speed and trajectory.

Disadvantages:

• Easier to detect during launch, and their predictable flight path makes it more vulnerable to interception, although still challenging.
• Not as maneuverable or precise as cruise missiles.