BALLISTIC VS CRUISE MISSILE

Ballistic missile

• A ballistic missile follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver one or more warheads on a predetermined target.
• A ballistic trajectory is the path of an object that is launched but has no active propulsion during it's actual flight ( these weapons are guided only during relatively brief periods of flight).
• Consequently , the trajectory is fully determined by a given initial  velocity  effects of gravity , air resistance , and motion of earth ( Coriolis Force).

•  Short range ballistic missiles stay with in the earth's atmosphere.
• Longer - ranged intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are launched on a sub - orbital flight trajectory and spend most of their flight out of the atmosphere.

Types of ballistic missiles based on range

• Short range (tactical ) ballistic missile (SRBM) : Range between 300 km and 1000 km.
• Medium range (theatre)  ballistic missile (MRBM) : Range 1000 km to 3500 km
• Intermediate range(long range) ballistic missile (IRBM or LRBM) : Range 3500 km to 5500 km.
• Intercontinental ballistic missile ( ICBM) : Range 5500 km +

Cruise missile 

• A cruise missile is a guided missile ( target has to be preset) used against terrestrial targets.
• It  remains in the atmosphere throughout it's flight.
• It flies the major portion of it's flight path approximately constant speed.
• Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high precision.
• Modern cruise missiles are capable of travelling at supersonic or high subsonic speeds, are self navigating and are able to fly on a non- ballistic ,extremely low -altitude trajectory.

Types of cruise missiles based on speed

• Hypersonic (mach 5) : These missiles would travel at least five times the speed of sound ,  example Brahmos -Ⅱ .
• Supersonic ( mach 2-3) : These missiles travel faster than the speed of sound , example Brahmos.
• Sub sonic ( mach 0.8) : These missiles travel slower than the speed of sound , example Nirbhay.