UPSC CSE Prelims
Missile Technology Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Missile Technology with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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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.
What is "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)", sometimes seen in the news?
Detailed Explanation:
The correct answer is An American anti-missile system (Option 3). THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) is a missile defense system developed by the United States to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their final phase of flight.
THAAD is designed to intercept ballistic missiles both inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere. It is an important part of the U.S. missile defense network and has been deployed in countries such as South Korea and Saudi Arabia.
With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It is a surface-to-surface missile.
- It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.
- It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Agni-IV is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile designed to be launched from mobile land-based platforms and strike ground targets.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Agni-IV uses two-stage solid-fuel propulsion, not liquid propellant. Solid propellants provide better storage stability and quick launch capability.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Agni-IV has a range of approximately 4,000 km, not 7,500 km. While it can carry a one-tonne payload, the 7,500 km range figure is incorrect.
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