Top 5 Longest-Range Missile In The World

Missiles are long-range, guided weapons designed to be launched from various platforms, including land, air, and sea. They are capable of delivering a variety of payloads, including conventional and nuclear warheads, to a predetermined target. In this article, we will take a closer look at the different types of missiles, the top 5 longest-range missile in the world, their history, and their applications.

Types of Missiles

Missiles can be broadly categorized into three main types:

• Cruise missiles,
• Ballistic missiles,
• Surface-to-air missiles.

Cruise Missiles

Cruise missiles are designed to fly at low altitudes and use the aerodynamic lift to stay aloft. They are powered by jet engines or small rocket engines and are guided by an onboard computer or a combination of GPS and inertial guidance systems. Cruise missiles are often used to strike targets deep inside enemy territory, and they can be launched from land, sea, or air platforms.

Ballistic Missiles

Ballistic missiles are powered by rocket engines and follow a parabolic trajectory once they are launched. They can be classified as either short-range, medium-range, or intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), depending on their range. ICBMs are the most powerful and can travel up to 12,000 kilometres. They are usually launched from land-based silos, mobile launchers, or submarines.

Surface-to-Air Missiles

Surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) are designed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft, helicopters, or other missiles. They are launched from the ground and can be guided by radar, infrared sensors, or a combination of both. SAMs come in various sizes and ranges, and they can be deployed to protect sensitive military installations, cities, or other strategic assets.

Top 5 Longest-Range Missile In The World

R-36M (SS-18 Satan), Russia:

The Missile That Changed the Game

The R-36M, also known as the SS-18 Satan, was one of the most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War era. It was designed to counterbalance the United States’ nuclear capability, which was perceived to be a significant threat to Soviet security. The R-36M became operational in 1975 and remained in service until 2018, making it one of the longest-serving ICBMs in history. In this article, we will explore the history, specifications, and legacy of the R-36M, which remains a symbol of the arms race between the Soviet Union and the United States.

Specifications of the R-36M

The R-36M was an impressive feat of engineering and technology. It was 34 meters long and had a diameter of 3.5 meters. Its weight was estimated to be around 211,000 kilograms, making it one of the heaviest missiles ever built. The missile was designed to be launched from underground silos, which made it difficult to detect and target.

The R-36M used a liquid-fueled rocket engine, which gave it a range of around 10,000 kilometres. It could carry up to ten nuclear warheads, each with a yield of 550 kilotons. The missile’s warheads could be independently targeted, which made it difficult to defend against.

History of the R-36M

The R-36M was developed in the late 1960s as a successor to the R-36, also known as the SS-9 Scarp. The SS-9 Scarp was the first Soviet ICBM capable of reaching the United States, but it was vulnerable to American anti-ballistic missile defences. The R-36M was designed to overcome this vulnerability by carrying more warheads and using advanced penetration aids.

The development of the R-36M was shrouded in secrecy, and very little information was available to Western intelligence agencies. The missile was designed to be launched from underground silos and could be controlled remotely. Its range was estimated to be around 10,000 kilometres, and it was capable of carrying up to ten nuclear warheads.

The R-36M became operational in 1975 and was deployed in large numbers across the Soviet Union. It was a key part of the Soviet Union’s strategic nuclear deterrent and was perceived as a significant threat by the United States.

Dongfeng-41 (DF-41, CSS-X-10), China

The trump card of nuclear deterrence, the pillar of national security.”

China’s military modernization program has been underway for several decades, and one of the latest weapons systems to be developed is the Dongfeng-41 (DF-41, CSS-X-10) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The DF-41 is China’s most advanced and powerful missile, capable of striking targets with nuclear warheads up to 15,000 km away. This article will discuss the DF-41’s technical specifications, its significance for China’s nuclear deterrence strategy, and the potential implications for global security.

Specifications of the Dongfeng-41

The DF-41 is a road-mobile ICBM that was first tested in 2012 and entered service in 2017. It is believed to be the successor to the older DF-31 and DF-31A missiles, which had shorter ranges and less advanced capabilities. The DF-41 has a reported range of 12,000 to 15,000 km, making it one of the longest-range missiles in the world. It is also believed to have multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), which means that a single missile can deliver several warheads to different targets. The missile is reportedly capable of penetrating missile defence systems and has a fast-reaction time, allowing it to evade detection and launch quickly.

The development of the DF-41 is part of China’s broader modernization of its nuclear arsenal, which aims to enhance China’s second-strike capability. Second-strike capability refers to a country’s ability to retaliate with nuclear weapons after a nuclear attack, even if its own nuclear forces have been destroyed. The DF-41 is designed to be difficult to detect and destroy, which makes it a potent component of China’s nuclear deterrent. China has a no-first-use policy regarding nuclear weapons, meaning that it will only use them in response to a nuclear attack.

Technical Specifications

The DF-41 is a three-stage solid-fueled missile that weighs around 80 tons and is about 16.5 meters long. It can carry up to 10 MIRVs, each with a yield of up to 150 kilotons. The missile’s accuracy is reportedly within 100 meters, which makes it highly effective against hardened targets such as underground bunkers. The missile’s warheads can be either nuclear or conventional, giving China the option to use it for non-nuclear purposes as well.

The DF-41 is mounted on a transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle, which allows it to be moved quickly and easily across different terrains. The TEL has a range of around 10,000 km, which gives the DF-41 a high degree of mobility and survivability. The missile can be launched from either a fixed site or a TEL, giving China flexibility in its deployment.

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LGM-30G Minuteman III (USA)

The key to America’s strategic defence.”

The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed by the United States and deployed in 1970. It is the only land-based ICBM in the U.S. nuclear arsenal, and it serves as a key component of the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrence.

The Minuteman III is a three-stage missile powered by solid-fuel rocket motors. It is designed to carry up to three nuclear warheads, with a maximum range of approximately 13,000 kilometres (8,000 miles). The missile is capable of travelling at speeds of up to Mach 23 (approximately 17,500 miles per hour) and can reach any target on Earth within 30 minutes of launch.

Specifications:

The Minuteman III is approximately 18 meters (59 feet) long, 1.7 meters (5.5 feet) in diameter, and weighs approximately 35,000 kg (77,000 lbs). The missile has a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 150 meters (492 feet), making it a highly accurate weapon system.

The missile’s guidance system uses a combination of inertial guidance and stellar navigation to guide it to its target. It is also equipped with a system known as the Reentry Vehicle/Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (RV/MIRV) system, which allows it to carry multiple nuclear warheads and target them independently.

Deployment:

The United States Air Force currently operates a fleet of Minuteman III missiles, which are deployed at three bases in the Western United States. The missiles are housed in underground silos, which are designed to withstand a nuclear attack and protect the missile and its crew.

The missile is operated by a crew of three officers, who are responsible for monitoring and maintaining the missile’s systems. The missile can be launched from its silo within minutes of receiving the order to do so.

Trident II (USA)

The Backbone of America’s Submarine Nuclear Deterrent

The Trident II (D5) missile is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed by the United States and the United Kingdom as part of their respective submarine-based nuclear deterrence programs. The missile was first deployed in 1990, and since then has become the backbone of America’s submarine nuclear deterrent. It is widely regarded as one of the most advanced and reliable ICBMs in the world and has played a key role in maintaining America’s national security.

In this article, we will explore the history, features, and capabilities of the Trident II missile and its importance in America’s nuclear deterrence strategy. We will also examine the challenges and controversies surrounding the missile, and the future of America’s submarine-based nuclear arsenal.

Features and Capabilities of the Trident II (D5)

The Trident II missile is a two-stage solid-fueled rocket, with a length of 44 feet (13.4 m) and a diameter of 83 inches (2.1 m). It is equipped with a W88 nuclear warhead, which has an estimated yield of 475 kilotons. The missile also has advanced guidance systems, including an inertial guidance system and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, which allow it to navigate accurately to its target.

One of the key features of the Trident II missile is its ability to carry multiple independent reentry vehicles (MIRVs). Each missile can carry up to eight MIRVs, each with its own guidance system and nuclear warhead. This allows a single missile to strike multiple targets with great precision, making it a highly effective tool for nuclear deterrence.

The Trident II missile is also designed to be highly reliable and resistant to attack. It is protected by a hardened shell and is equipped with countermeasures to defend against anti-ballistic missile systems. It can also be launched from a submerged submarine, making it virtually undetectable and difficult to intercept.

Importance of the Trident II (D5) in America’s Nuclear Deterrence Strategy

The Trident II missile is a critical component of America’s nuclear deterrence strategy. It provides the United States with a credible and effective nuclear deterrent, by ensuring that any potential adversary knows that an attack on the United States could result in a devastating nuclear response.

The missile’s accuracy and MIRV capability also make it a valuable tool for targeting a wide range of potential threats, including hardened targets such as underground bunkers and missile silos.

The Trident II missile is also seen as a more cost-effective alternative to land-based ICBMs, which require extensive infrastructure and maintenance

History of the Trident II (D5)

The development of the Trident II missile began in the late 1970s, as a replacement for the ageing Polaris and Poseidon missiles. The United States Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom collaborated on the project, with the aim of creating a missile that could deliver a more accurate and powerful nuclear warhead over a longer range.

The Trident II missile was designed to be launched from a submarine, with a range of up to 7,360 miles (11,830 km) and a speed of over 20,000 feet per second (6,096 m/s). It was also designed to be highly accurate, with a circular error probability (CEP) of less than 90 meters.

The missile underwent extensive testing in the 1980s, including over 100 successful test flights. It was first deployed on board the USS Tennessee in 1990, and has since been installed on all 14 of America’s Ohio-class submarines.

History of Missiles

The origins of missiles can be traced back to ancient China, where gunpowder-powered rockets were used in military campaigns. However, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that missiles became a formidable weapon system. During World War II, both the Allied and Axis powers developed missiles for various applications, including anti-aircraft defence and long-range bombing.

After the war, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the dominant missile powers. They developed a wide range of missiles, including ICBMs, cruise missiles, and SAMs, as part of their Cold War arsenals. The arms race between the two superpowers led to the development of more advanced missile technologies, including multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), which allowed a single missile to carry multiple warheads.

Applications of Missiles

Missiles have a wide range of military and civilian applications. They are used in the military for strategic deterrence, precision strikes, and air defence. For example, ICBMs are used as a deterrent against nuclear attack, while cruise missiles are used to destroy enemy air defences, command and control centres, and other high-value targets.

In the civilian sphere, missiles are used for space exploration, scientific research, and commercial applications. For example, the United States and Russia have used ICBMs to launch satellites into orbit, while China has used its Long March rocket series to launch commercial satellites.

Conclusion

Missiles have come a long way since their humble origins in ancient China. Today, they are one of the most potent weapons in a nation’s arsenal, capable of delivering devastating payloads to enemy targets from great distances. While their destructive potential is undeniable, missiles also have important civilian applications that benefit society as a whole.