Consider the following statements:
- Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
- Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements incorrectly describe the fundamental characteristics of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as the specific types of Agni-V and BrahMos missiles. Let us evaluate each statement:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The statement incorrectly swaps the propulsion characteristics. Ballistic missiles are rocket-powered and follow a high, arcing ballistic trajectory at supersonic or hypersonic speeds, while cruise missiles are jet-propelled, fly at lower altitudes using aerodynamic lift, and can be subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The statement incorrectly describes both missiles. Agni-V is a solid-fuelled Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range exceeding 5,000 km, capable of striking targets across continents. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile (not a ballistic missile) developed jointly by India and Russia, with a range of around 450-600 km.
📝 Short Notes: Ballistic vs Cruise Missiles
| Feature | Ballistic Missiles | Cruise Missiles |
|---|---|---|
| Propulsion | Rocket-powered (initial boost phase) | Jet-propelled (air-breathing engines) throughout flight |
| Trajectory | High, arcing ballistic path; exits and re-enters atmosphere | Low-altitude, follows terrain contours using aerodynamic lift |
| Speed | Supersonic to hypersonic | Subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic |
| Guidance | Guided only during boost phase; free-fall descent | Continuously guided throughout flight |
| Range Categories | Short (< 1,000 km), Medium (1,000-3,000 km), Intermediate (3,000-5,500 km), Intercontinental (> 5,500 km) | Tactical (< 300 km), Medium (300-1,000 km), Long-range (> 1,000 km) |
| Indian Examples | Agni series (I, II, III, IV, V), Prithvi series | BrahMos, Nirbhay |
- Agni-V: India's longest-range ICBM with a strike range of over 5,000 km, three-stage solid-fuelled missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, enhances India's strategic deterrence.
- BrahMos: World's fastest supersonic cruise missile (Mach 2.8-3), joint venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPO Mashinostroyeniya), available in land, sea, air, and submarine-launched variants.
- Detection Difficulty: Cruise missiles fly low and are harder to detect by radar, while ballistic missiles have predictable trajectories once launched but are harder to intercept due to high speeds.
Question 1 of 3 Missile Technology
Practice PYQ questions from this topic across all years
First question in this topic
What is "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)", sometimes seen in the news?