Learn Missile Types Explained Simply – Classification by Platform, Trajectory, Range, Speed, Combat Role, Guidance Systems, Air Defense Tiers, Strategic Exotics (HGV, MIRV) and Submarine Launch Methods

 

Introduction:

Missiles represent one of the most significant technological advancements in modern military history. These self propelled, guided weapons systems have fundamentally transformed how nations conduct warfare, project power, and maintain strategic deterrence. From shoulder fired anti tank weapons to intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of crossing oceans, the diversity of missile systems deployed around the world reflects the complex nature of contemporary defense requirements. The ongoing development of hypersonic weapons, advanced guidance systems and novel propulsion technologies continues to transform the missile landscape. Nations are investing heavily in countermeasures against existing threats while developing new capabilities that will redefine strategic relationships for decades to come. As missile technology continues to evolve, the fundamental principles of classification remain essential for understanding both current capabilities and future developments in this critical domain of military power.

The balance between offensive missile capabilities and defensive countermeasures remains a central challenge of international security. Missile defense systems continue to advance alongside offensive systems, creating a dynamic technological competition that shapes military planning and strategic calculations around the world. As emerging powers develop indigenous missile capabilities and established powers modernize their inventories, the global missile landscape continues to evolve in ways that will influence international security for generations. Understanding missile classification requires examining multiple dimensions: launch platform and target type, flight trajectory, operational range, speed, guidance systems and specialized combat roles. This comprehensive guide explores the full spectrum of missile types currently in service or development globally providing detailed information about their capabilities, characteristics and strategic significance.

Classification by Launch Platform and Target:

The most fundamental way to categorize missiles is by where they are launched from and what they are designed to strike. This launch-target matrix defines the operational role and tactical employment of each weapon system.

Surface to Surface Missiles (SSM):

Surface to surface missiles are launched from ground or sea based platforms to strike targets on land or at sea. These weapons form the backbone of both tactical battlefield operations and strategic deterrence. They may be fired from hand held or vehicle mounted devices from fixed installations or from ships. The first operational surface to surface missile was the V 1 flying bomb which was powered by a pulsejet engine and used by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Contemporary surface to surface missiles are usually guided. An unguided surface to surface missile is typically referred to as a rocket whereas guided systems like the BGM 71 TOW or AT 2 Swatter are classified as anti tank guided missiles. Surface to surface missiles can be categorized by their intended usage, intended target, flight profile and launch platform. These categorizations often overlap. These types of missiles may be launched from fixed silos, road mobile vehicles, railcars or naval launch platforms.

The major powers operate distinct surface to surface missile inventories.

For SRBM/Tactical systems:

The United States fields the PrSM and ATACMS while Russia operates the Iskander-M. India has developed Pralay and Shaurya and China operates the DF 15 and DF 21. Israel employs the LORA system.

For MRBM/IRBM:

India operates the Agni II, Agni III, and Agni IV, while China fields the DF 26.

For ICBM/Strategic GLCM systems:

The United States maintains the Minuteman III ICBM and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Russia operates the Yars and Sarmat ICBMs along with Kalibr cruise missiles. China's strategic arsenal includes the DF 41, DF 31AG and CJ 10 cruise missiles. India's Agni V provides ICBM capability while Israel's Jericho III serves as its strategic deterrent. The United Kingdom and France do not operate land based ICBMs, relying instead on their submarine launched systems.

For Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM):

The United States and United Kingdom deploy the Trident II, Russia operates the Bulava, France fields the M51, China has the JL 2 and JL 3, India operates the K 4 and K 15 Sagarika and Israel is presumed to have naval cruise missile variants.

Surface to Air Missiles (SAM):

Surface to air missiles also known as ground to air missiles or surface to air guided weapons are designed to be launched from the ground or the sea to destroy aircraft or other missiles. These systems are one type of anti aircraft system and have largely replaced most other forms of dedicated anti aircraft weapons in modern armed forces.

SAM systems generally fall into two broad groups based on their guidance systems: those using radar and those using other means. Longer range missiles typically use radar for early detection and guidance. Early SAM systems used tracking radars and fed guidance information to the missile using radio control concepts referred to as command guidance. Through the 1960s, semi active radar homing became much more common.

Ship based anti aircraft missiles are also considered SAMs though in practice they are more widely used against sea skimming missiles rather than aircraft. Virtually all surface warships can be armed with SAMs and naval SAMs are a necessity for all front line surface warships. Modern warships may carry all three types long range, medium range, and short range as part of their multi layered air defense.

The global inventory of surface to air missiles spans multiple range categories and capabilities.

MANPADS/VSHORAD:

The United States operates the FIM 92 Stinger, Russia fields the Igla S and Verba, the United Kingdom employs the Starstreak, France uses the Mistral, China operates the FN 6 and QW 18, and India imports the Igla-S.

For SHORAD systems:

The United States operates the MIM 72 Chaparral, Russia fields the Tor M1/M2 and Pantsir S1, the United Kingdom employs the Rapier (being retired), France uses the Crotale NG, China operates the HQ 7 and HQ 17, India operates the Akash NG and SPYDER, and Israel deploys the SPYDER and David's Sling.

For MRAD/LRAD systems:

The United States operates the Patriot PAC 3, THAAD and NASAMS, Russia fields the S 400 and S 500, the United Kingdom employs the CAMM Sky Sabre, France uses the SAMP/T with Aster 30, China operates the HQ 9 and HQ 19, India deploys the Barak 8 and S 400, and Israel operates the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3.

For ABM systems:

The United States operates GMD and SM 3, Russia fields the S 500 and A 135, the United Kingdom has no indigenous ABM capability, France has limited ABM through Aster 30 Block 1, China operates the HQ 19 and SC 19, India has the Prithvi Air Defence system, and Israel operates the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3.

Air to Air Missiles (AAM):

Air to air missiles are fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft in flight. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors usually solid fueled but sometimes liquid fueled. Ramjet engines are emerging as propulsion that enables future medium to long range missiles to maintain higher average speed across their engagement envelope.

Air to air missiles are broadly put in two groups. Those designed to engage opposing aircraft at ranges of around 30 to 40 kilometers maximum are known as short range or within visual range missiles and are sometimes called dogfight missiles because they are designed to optimize agility rather than range. Most use infrared guidance and are called heat seeking missiles. Medium or long range missiles fall under the category of beyond visual range missiles and tend to rely upon radar guidance. Some modern ones use inertial guidance and mid course updates to get close enough to use an active homing sensor.

The world's air to air missile inventory is divided between short range and beyond visual range systems.

Within Visual Range (WVR) missiles:

The United States operates the AIM 9X Sidewinder, Russia fields the R 73 (AA 11 Archer) and R 74 (AA 12), the United Kingdom employs the ASRAAM, France uses the MICA IR, China operates the PL 10, India operates the Python 5 (Israeli) and ASRAAM (UK), and Israel fields the Python 5.

Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles:

The United States operates the AIM 120 AMRAAM and the retired AIM 54 Phoenix, Russia fields the R 77 (AA 12 Adder) and R 37M (AA 13), the United Kingdom employs the Meteor (European consortium), France uses the MICA RF and Meteor, China operates the PL 12 and PL 15, India operates the Astra Mk 1/Mk 2 and Derby (Israeli), and Israel fields the I-Derby and I-Derby ER.

Air to Surface Missiles (ASM):

Air to surface missiles also called air to ground missiles are guided military weapons launched from aircraft to strike targets on land or at sea. Unlike unguided gravity bombs, ASMs use onboard guidance systems and propulsion to hit high value, precise objectives. The two most common propulsion systems are rocket motors usually with shorter range and slower, longer range jet engines. Some Soviet designed air to surface missiles are powered by ramjets giving them both long range and high speed.

A major advantage of air to surface missiles is the standoff distance they provide: missiles can be launched from a distance without coming within range of the target's air defenses. Most air to surface missiles are fire-and-forget from a standoff distance allowing the attacker to withdraw without approaching further after launch. Typically, the higher and faster the launching aircraft is flying, the longer the reach of a particular missile is. Sub categories of air to surface missiles include air launched anti tank guided missiles, air launched cruise missiles, air launched anti ship missiles and anti radiation missiles.

Air to surface missiles are categorized by their specialized roles.

Anti Radiation Missiles (ARM):

The United States operates the AGM 88 HARM, Russia fields the Kh 31P and Kh 58, the United Kingdom employed the ALARM (now retired), China operates the YJ 91 and LD 10, India fields the Rudram 1 and Rudram 2, and France and Israel do not have dedicated indigenous ARM systems.

For General Purpose/Bunker Buster missiles:

The United States operates the AGM 65 Maverick and AGM 158 JASSM, Russia fields the Kh 29 and Kh 59, the United Kingdom employs the Brimstone, France uses the AASM Hammer, China operates the KD 88 and CM 102, India fields the BrahMos A (supersonic) and Israel operates the AGM 142 Have Nap and Rampage.

Air Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCM):

The United States operates the AGM 86 ALCM and JASSM ER, Russia fields the Kh 101 and Kh 55SM, the United Kingdom employs the Storm Shadow (Anglo French), France uses the SCALP EG (Storm Shadow), China operates the CJ 10 (air launched variant), India is testing the Nirbhay and Israel operates the Delilah loitering cruise missile.

Sea to Sea Missiles:

Sea to sea missiles commonly referred to as anti ship missiles when launched from naval vessels are designed to engage and destroy enemy surface ships ranging from fast patrol boats to massive aircraft carriers. These are a core component of modern naval warfare utilizing advanced guidance and low altitude flight paths to hit targets over the horizon.

Most use sea skimming technology flying just meters above the water's surface to stay hidden from enemy radar until the last seconds. They typically combine inertial navigation, GPS and active radar homing or infrared seekers to lock onto moving ship targets. Systems range from subsonic which provide efficient cruise range, to supersonic speeds which make interception extremely difficult.

Sea-to-sea missiles are classified by their speed profiles.

For Subsonic Sea-Skimming missiles:

The United States operates the RGM 84 Harpoon and Naval Strike Missile, Russia fields the Kh 35 Uran (SS-N-25), the United Kingdom employs the Harpoon (US) and NSM (Norwegian), France uses the MM 40 Exocet (Block 3), China operates the YJ 83 and YJ 82 and Israel fields the Gabriel V. India does not operate dedicated subsonic sea skimming systems.

For Supersonic/Heavy missiles:

Russia fields the P 800 Oniks (SS-N-26), China operates the YJ 12 and YJ 18, and India operates the BrahMos (ship/sea-launched). The United States, United Kingdom, France, and Israel do not operate supersonic anti-ship missiles.

For Hypersonic Ship Launched missiles:

Russia fields the 3M22 Zircon (Tsirkon), China has tested the YJ 21 and India is developing the BrahMos-II. The United States has the LRASM with supersonic terminal capability while the United Kingdom, France and Israel do not operate hypersonic ship launched anti ship missiles.

Air to Sea Missiles:

Air to sea missiles are more commonly called anti ship missiles when launched from aircraft. These guided weapons are launched from aircraft to destroy ships or boats on the water. They often use sea skimming technology flying very close to the water surface to avoid radar detection before hitting a target. Guidance typically uses active radar homing, infrared tracking or inertial navigation.

Examples: AGM 84 Harpoon (USA), Exocet (France), Kh 35 (Russia), NASM SR (India).

Surface to Sea Missiles:

Surface to sea missiles are land based coastal defense systems targeting warships. These include land adapted versions of classic anti ship missiles that provide high precision, net centric coastal defense capabilities.

Examples: BrahMos (India/Russia - coastal mobile batteries), Harpoon Coastal Defense System (USA), Naval Strike Missile CDS (Norway/US).

Air to Underwater and Surface to Underwater Missiles:

Air to underwater and surface to underwater weapons are specialized armaments designed to bridge the gap between air/surface platforms and submerged targets. Traditional rocket or jet powered missiles cannot travel efficiently through water because water is roughly 800 times denser than air causing high speed missiles to break apart or rapidly lose momentum upon impact. Because of this physics constraint, modern militaries use hybrid rocket thrown torpedoes or rocket assisted depth charges.

Air to underwater weapons are dropped or fired from maritime patrol aircraft, anti submarine helicopters or drones. These include rocket boosted torpedoes equipped with parachutes to slow descent into the water and air dropped depth bombs. Surface to underwater weapons are fired from surface warships or coastal batteries using a rocket motor to fly through the air over long distances before parachuting a payload into the water near a submarine.

Anti submarine missiles are categorized by launch platform:

For Ship/Sub Launched Rocket Torpedo systems:

The United States operates the RUM 139 VL ASROC, Russia fields the RPK 2 Viyuga (SS-N-15) and RPK 7 (SS-N-16), the United Kingdom uses US ASROC on some frigates, China operates the Yu 8 (RAT), India fields the SMART (Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo) and France and Israel do not operate indigenous ship/sub launched rocket torpedo systems.

For Air Launched Lightweight Torpedo systems:

The United States operates the Mk 54 LHT (parachute retarded), Russia fields the APR 3E and UMGT 1, the United Kingdom employs the Sting Ray (air/ship torpedo), France uses the MU90 Impact (Franco Italian), China operates the Yu 7 and ET 52, India fields the Varunastra (heavier) and TAL (light) and Israel relies on US/EU imports.

Submarine Launched Missiles (Underwater to Surface and Underwater to Air):

Submarine launched missiles are guided or ballistic weapons fired from a submerged submarine hidden beneath the sea surface to strike targets on land, at sea or in the air. The launch process involves compressed air or a gas generator pushing the missile out of the submarine's torpedo tube or vertical launch system. A specialized nose motor or gas system creates a pocket of air around the missile to reduce extreme water drag. As the missile breaks through the water surface, its main rocket motor or engine ignites to accelerate toward its target.

Submarine launched ballistic missiles are heavy, long range strategic deterrence weapons. Submarine launched cruise missiles are precision strike weapons used against land or ship targets. Emerging defense systems are also being designed to let submerged submarines fire back at anti-submarine helicopters.

Examples: Trident II (USA/UK - SLBM), Tomahawk (USA - SLCM), Bulava RSM 56 (Russia - SLBM), Kalibr (Russia - SLCM), M51 (France - SLBM), JL 2 (China - SLBM), JL-3 (China - SLBM), K 4 (India - SLBM), K 15 Sagarika (India - SLBM).

Underwater to Underwater Weapons:

Underwater to underwater weapons are designed to be launched from a submerged platform to destroy other submerged threats. Traditional rocket or jet powered missiles cannot function underwater due to extreme density and pressure. Instead, modern navies classify these weapons as submarine launched torpedoes or rocket assisted torpedoes fired from submarine torpedo tubes.

Submarine launched heavyweight acoustic torpedoes are the primary offensive weapons used by modern attack submarines. They are loaded into standard torpedo tubes and pushed out using compressed air or water pressure before activating their own propulsion and guidance systems. Wire guided and acoustic homing torpedoes allow submarines to feed targeting data directly to the torpedo, completely immune to enemy electronic jamming.

Examples: Mk 48 Mod 7 ADCAP (USA), Spearfish (UK), DM2A4 Seehecht (Germany), Shkval (Russia).

Classification by Trajectory and Flight Path:

Ballistic Missiles:

Ballistic missiles follow a parabolic, arc like trajectory powered by a rocket engine during the initial phase, after which they free fall toward the target. They can travel sub orbital or intercontinental distances. The flight path consists of three phases:

Boost Phase: 

Rockets fire at launch to push the missile up into the air or space.

Midcourse Phase: 

Engines turn off and the missile glides through a high arc along its path.

Terminal Phase: 

The warhead falls back down through the atmosphere to hit the target.

Ballistic missiles are rocket powered weapons that follow an unpowered, arcing flight path to deliver a payload to a target. These systems can carry conventional high explosives or nuclear warheads and are grouped by their maximum travel distance. Short range ballistic missiles typically stay within the Earth's atmosphere while most larger missiles travel outside the atmosphere. The largest ICBMs are capable of full orbital flight.

Examples: Agni V (India - ICBM), Minuteman III (USA - ICBM), DF 41 (China - ICBM), Iskander M (Russia - SRBM), Yars RS 24 (Russia - ICBM), Sarmat RS 28 (Russia - ICBM), DF31AG (China - ICBM), Agni II (India - MRBM), Agni IV (India - IRBM).

Cruise Missiles:

Cruise missiles are unmanned self propelled guided missiles that sustain flight through aerodynamic lift for most of their flight path. They fly at a constant speed maintaining a low altitude using jet engines to evade radar detection. Modern cruise missiles are capable of traveling at high subsonic, supersonic or hypersonic speeds, are self navigating and are able to fly on a non ballistic, extremely low altitude trajectory.

Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles are powered during the entire flight and use aerodynamic surfaces for lift and control. They can be fitted with any of a variety of navigation systems, including inertial navigation, TERCOM or satellite navigation. Larger cruise missiles can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads while smaller ones carry only conventional warheads.

Examples: Tomahawk (USA - subsonic), BrahMos (India/Russia - supersonic), 3M22 Zircon (Russia - hypersonic), Storm Shadow/SCALP (UK/France - subsonic), Nirbhay (India - subsonic), Kalibr (Russia - subsonic/supersonic variants), AGM 86 ALCM (USA - subsonic), Kh 101 (Russia - subsonic).

Classification by Operational Range:

Tactical/Short Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM):

Short range ballistic missiles have a range of under 1,000 kilometers. They are used for regional or tactical battlefield strikes against enemy facilities, assembly areas, artillery and other targets behind front lines. These missiles are usually mobile to ensure survivability and quick deployment and can carry a variety of warheads including conventional high explosive, chemical, biological or nuclear warheads. Tactical ballistic missiles fill the gap between conventional rocket artillery and longer range short range ballistic missiles.

Examples: Iskander M (Russia - under 1,000 km), ATACMS (USA - under 1,000 km), PrSM (USA - under 1,000 km), Pralay (India - under 1,000 km), DF 15 (China - under 1,000 km), Shaurya (India - under 1,000 km).

Medium Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBM):

Medium range ballistic missiles have a range between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometers. In modern terminology, MRBMs are part of the wider grouping of theatre ballistic missiles which includes any ballistic missile with a range of less than 3,500 kilometers. MRBMs cover the ranges over SRBMs and under IRBMs.

Examples: Agni II (India - 2,000-3,000 km), DF 21 (China - 1,500-1,700 km), Shahab 3 (Iran - 1,000-2,000 km), Shaheen-II (Pakistan - 2,500 km), DF 17 (China - 1,800-2,500 km).

Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBM):

Intermediate range ballistic missiles have a range between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometers categorized between MRBMs and ICBMs. There is little difference in principle between a high performance IRBM and a low performance ICBM, because decreasing payload mass can increase the range over the ICBM threshold. IRBMs are operated by China, India, Israel, North Korea and Russia.

Examples: Agni IV (India - 3,000-5,500 km), Hwasong 12 (North Korea - 3,000-5,500 km), Jericho II (Israel - 1,300 km), DF 26 (China - 3,000-5,500 km).

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM):

Intercontinental ballistic missiles have a range greater than 5,500 kilometers and are primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery. Some modern designs support multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles allowing a single missile to carry several warheads each of which can strike a different target. The United States, Russia, China, France, India, the United Kingdom, Israel and North Korea are the only countries known to have operational ICBMs.

ICBM development was a central part of the nuclear arms race of the Cold War. Early designs used liquid propellant, often cryogenic requiring fueling before launch with high response time and low availability. Solid propellant ICBMs do not require fueling having a much lower response time. ICBMs have shifted from early missile silo fields to later truck based transporter erector launchers. Many have been adapted into space launch vehicles.

Examples: Minuteman III (USA - greater than 5,500 km), Yars RS 24 (Russia - greater than 5,500 km), Sarmat RS-28 (Russia - greater than 5,500 km), DF 41 (China - 12,000-14,000 km), Agni V (India - greater than 7,500 km), Jericho III (Israel - 4,800-11,500 km), M51 (France greater than 5,500 km), Trident II (USA/UK greater than 5,500 km).

Classification by Speed:

Subsonic Missiles:

Subsonic missiles travel at speeds slower than sound below Mach 1 typically around Mach 0.7 to 0.8. These weapons use jet or turbofan engines for long range, highly fuel efficient flight. Subsonic missiles employ terrain hugging and sea-skimming techniques flying just meters above the ground or water to duck underneath enemy radar cover. Many modern designs can circle or hover near a target area before picking the exact moment to strike.

Examples: Tomahawk (USA - subsonic), Nirbhay (India - subsonic, ~1,000 km range), Storm Shadow/SCALP (UK/France - subsonic, Mach 0.65), Harpoon (USA - subsonic), AGM 86 ALCM (USA - subsonic), Kh 55 (Russia - subsonic), Naval Strike Missile (Norway/US - subsonic).

Supersonic Missiles:

Supersonic missiles travel at speeds between Mach 1 and Mach 5 typically between Mach 2 and Mach 3. These weapons drastically reduce enemy reaction time by flying at high speed while maintaining low altitude flight profiles. Speed and final phase maneuvers make them difficult for standard defense systems to shoot down. Supersonic missiles can be fired from mobile truck launchers, warships, submarines and fighter jets. They typically use ramjet engines with ranges generally between 100 and 500 kilometers.

Examples: BrahMos (India/Russia - Mach 2.8-3.0, 290-800 km range), P 800 Oniks (Russia - Mach 2.5), YJ 18 (China - Mach 2.5-3.0 terminal), ASM 3 (Japan - Mach 3+), Kh 31 (Russia - Mach 3.5), P 270 Moskit (Russia - Mach 2-3), YJ 12 (China - Mach 4), Hsiung Feng III (Taiwan - Mach 3.5).

Hypersonic Missiles:

Hypersonic missiles travel at or above Mach 5 and feature atmospheric maneuverability making them exceptionally hard to intercept. There are two main categories of hypersonic weapons:

Boost Glide Hypersonic Weapons:

These glide and maneuver at hypersonic speeds following boosting by rocket propulsion. Typical examples are ballistic missiles fitted with hypersonic glide vehicle warheads. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles that follow a predictable arc, these weapons combine extreme velocity with low-altitude maneuverability.

Air breathing Hypersonic Weapons:

These are typically hypersonic cruise missiles that maintain hypersonic speed by engines such as scramjets. They are powered continuously during flight by high speed, air breathing jet engines. Hypersonic weapons fly lower than ballistic missiles and can change direction mid flight, drastically reducing reaction and warning times for defenders. Major military powers actively deploy or test these operational capabilities.

Examples: 3M22 Zircon (Russia - Mach 5+, 1,000-1,500 km range), DF 17 (China - Mach 5+, HGV), Avangard (Russia - Mach 5+, HGV), LRHW/Dark Eagle (USA - Mach 5+, HGV), BrahMos-II (India/Russia - under development, Mach 5+), DF 27 (China - HGV), YJ 17 (China - hypersonic boost-glide), YJ 19 (China - scramjet cruise), CJ 1000 (China - scramjet cruise), HACM (USA/Australia - scramjet cruise under development).

Classification by Specialized Combat Role:

Anti Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs):

Anti tank guided missiles are specialized guided weapons designed to hit and destroy heavily armored military vehicles like tanks. These systems range from shoulder fired man portable units to vehicle and helicopter mounted configurations utilizing advanced guidance and tandem warheads to defeat modern tank defenses.

Modern systems use wire guided, laser guided or infrared imaging tracking. Advanced missiles like the US FGM 148 Javelin lock onto a thermal or digital image signature allowing the operator to move immediately after launch. Tandem warheads feature a dual detonation setup where the first charge clears reactive armor and the second penetrates the main hull. Many modern missiles climb and dive downward to strike the thinner roof armor of a tank instead of the thick front plating.

ATGMs range in size from shoulder launched weapons transportable by a single soldier to larger tripod mounted weapons requiring a squad or team to transport and fire. ATGMs were used by over 130 countries and many non state actors worldwide.

Examples: Man Portable/Tripod: USA FGM 148 Javelin, BGM 71 TOW; Russia 9M133 Kornet, Metis M; UK MBT LAW; France MMP, Akeron MP; China HJ 8, HJ 12; India Nag, Konkurs; Israel Spike SR/MR/LR. Vehicle/Helicopter-Launched: USA AGM 114 Hellfire; Russia Vikhr, Ataka; UK Brimstone; France Hellfire (imported); China HJ 9, HJ 10; India Helina/Dhruvastra; Israel Spike NLOS, Tamuz.

Anti Ship Missiles (AShMs):

Anti ship missiles are guided missiles designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti ship missiles are of the sea skimming variety, and many use a combination of inertial guidance and active radar homing. A large number use infrared homing to follow the heat emitted by a ship.

Many anti ship missiles can be launched from a variety of weapons systems including surface warships, submarines, bombers, fighter planes, patrol planes, helicopters, shore batteries, land vehicles and infantrymen firing shoulder launched missiles. The longer range anti ship missiles are often called anti ship cruise missiles.

Anti ship missiles are a significant threat to surface ships, which have large radar, radio and thermal signatures that are difficult to suppress. Once acquired, a ship cannot outrun or out-turn a missile, the warhead of which can inflict significant damage. To counter this threat, the modern surface combatant must avoid detection, destroy the launch platform before it fires or decoy or destroy all incoming missiles.

Examples: RGM 84 Harpoon (USA - subsonic sea-skimming), Exocet (France - subsonic sea-skimming), BrahMos (India/Russia - supersonic), Kh-35 Uran (Russia - subsonic sea-skimming), YJ 83 (China - subsonic sea-skimming), YJ-18 (China - supersonic terminal), 3M22 Zircon (Russia - hypersonic), NSM (Norway/US - subsonic), Gabriel V (Israel - naval), Otomat (Italy/France - subsonic), P 800 Oniks (Russia - supersonic).

Anti Radiation Missiles (ARMs):

Anti radiation missiles are weapons designed to detect and home in on enemy radio frequency and electromagnetic emissions. They are primarily used to destroy or suppress enemy radar systems, communication nodes and electronic jamming equipment during Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses operations.

Anti radiation missiles use a passive radar seeker that does not emit its own signal, instead it listens for and locks onto enemy radio emissions. If an enemy target detects the incoming missile and turns off their radar to break the lock, the radar becomes ineffective blinding their air defense network. Modern ARMs feature GPS/INS memory allowing them to navigate to the last known coordinates if the target radar shuts down mid flight.

The primary mission of ARMs is blinding integrated air defense systems and surface to air missile sites to clear a path for strike aircraft.

Examples: AGM 88 HARM (USA - high-speed anti-radiation missile), Rudram 1 (India - anti-radiation), Rudram 2 (India - anti-radiation), Kh 31P (Russia - anti-radiation), Kh 58 (Russia - anti-radiation), ALARM (UK - retired), MAR 1 (Brazil - anti-radiation), AKBABA (Turkey - anti radiation under development).

Anti Ballistic Missiles (ABMs):

Anti ballistic missiles are surface to air missiles designed to destroy in flight ballistic missiles. They achieve this explosively (chemical or nuclear) or via hit to kill kinetic vehicles which may also have self maneuvering capabilities. ABM systems work through a process of detection, tracking and interception. Powerful ground or space radars spot the rocket launch early. Computers follow the flight path and filter out decoys. An interceptor missile launches to crash into or blow up the target.

There are three types of interception phases:

Boost Phase: 

Hitting the missile while it is still climbing and its engine is burning.

Midcourse Phase: 

Hitting the warhead as it coasts through space outside the atmosphere.

Terminal Phase: 

Hitting the warhead as it falls back down through the atmosphere.

Tactical systems are widely deployed to counter short and intermediate range ballistic missiles that carry conventional warheads. Strategic systems deployed by the United States, Russia, China and Israel are capable of intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Examples: THAAD (USA - terminal high altitude), Patriot PAC 3 (USA - terminal), GMD/GBI (USA - midcourse), Arrow 2 (Israel - atmospheric), Arrow 3 (Israel - exo-atmospheric), S-500 Prometey (Russia - multi-role), A 135 (Russia - Moscow defense), HQ 19 (China - midcourse/terminal), Prithvi Air Defence (India - exo-atmospheric), Advanced Air Defence (India - endo-atmospheric), David's Sling Stunner (Israel - tactical ballistic missile interceptor), Aster 30 Block 1 (France/Italy - limited ABM), SM 3 (USA - ship-based midcourse).

Anti Satellite Missiles (ASATs):

Anti-satellite missiles are space weapons designed to incapacitate or destroy satellites for strategic or tactical purposes. Although no ASAT system has yet been used in warfare, several countries including China, India, Russia and the United States have successfully demonstrated direct ascent ASAT missile capabilities.

ASAT technologies include:

Kinetic Energy: Missiles, drones or co orbital spacecraft that physically collide with a target satellite at extreme speeds destroying it through sheer impact energy.

Non Kinetic Methods: Cyber attacks, ground based or space based electronic jamming and high energy lasers designed to blind or disrupt optical and communication payloads without creating space debris.

Use of ASATs generates space debris which can collide with other satellites and generate more space debris. A cascading multiplication of space debris could cause Earth to suffer from Kessler syndrome.

Examples: Mission Shakti (India - March 27, 2019 test), ASM 135 ASAT (USA - historical F-15 launched), SC 19 (China - ground-based ASAT), KT 2 (China - ASAT), PL 19 Nudol (Russia - reported ASAT capability), A 235 (Russia - ASAT capability).

Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACMs):

Land attack cruise missiles are powered, unmanned flying weapons designed to strike fixed or movable targets on the ground with high precision. They fly at low altitudes using terrain skimming profiles to avoid radar detection serving as critical strategic standoff tools for modern militaries.

These missiles typically hug the terrain or skim the sea surface to stay under hostile radar coverage. They use a mix of Inertial Navigation Systems, GPS/satellite guidance and terrain contour matching or optical guidance for pin point accuracy during terminal phases. Most are powered by efficient turbojet or turbofan engines enabling sustained subsonic or supersonic speeds over long ranges. They are capable of carrying conventional high explosive, submunitions or nuclear warheads.

Examples: Tomahawk (USA - subsonic, up to 1,700 km range), Kalibr 3M 14 (Russia - subsonic, up to 4,500 km range), Nirbhay (India - subsonic, up to 1,500 km range), CJ 10/DF10 (China - subsonic, up to 1,500 km range), MdCN (France - subsonic, up to 1,400 km range), AGM 158 JASSM (USA - subsonic, 370-1,900 km range), Taurus KEPD 350 (Germany/Sweden - subsonic, 500+ km range).

Air Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCMs):

Air launched cruise missiles are jet propelled, guided standoff weapons released from a military aircraft to strike pre planned land or naval targets from a safe distance. These low flying missiles use advanced navigation systems to hug terrain and evade radar detection.

They are dropped or fired from heavy strategic bombers or tactical fighter jets outside enemy air defense zones. After release, they deploy wings and utilize turbofan engines for sustained subsonic or supersonic cruise speeds. Guidance relies on Inertial Navigation Systems backed by GPS, Terrain Contour Matching or active terminal radar/optical seekers. They are equipped with conventional high explosives, submunitions, or thermonuclear warheads.

Examples: AGM 86 ALCM (USA - subsonic, 1,100-2,400 km range), AGM 181 LRSO (USA - next-generation stealth), BrahMos ALCM (India/Russia - supersonic), Storm Shadow/SCALP (UK/France - subsonic, 550 km range), Kh 101 (Russia - subsonic, 4,500-5,500 km range), AGM 158 JASSM (USA - subsonic, 370-1,900 km), HACM (USA/Australia - hypersonic under development), AGM 158C LRASM (USA - anti-ship), Kh 55 (Russia - subsonic, 3,000 km), AGM 129 ACM (USA - retired stealth cruise).

Air Launched Ballistic Missiles (ALBMs):

Air launched ballistic missiles are rocket-propelled weapons fired from military aircraft. They combine the speed and high altitude trajectory of a ballistic missile with the mobility of a jet, allowing bombers or fighters to strike deep inside enemy territory from safe standoff ranges.

Key advantages include:

Standoff Range: Aircraft launch far outside the reach of local anti aircraft defenses.

High Speed: Reaches supersonic or hypersonic speeds during terminal dive phases making interception difficult.

Unpredictable Launch Points: Relocating bombers alter attack vectors, disrupting early warning radar and defense calculations.

Bypass Borders: Fighters can release munitions from friendly airspace or open water without crossing heavily defended borders.

Examples: Kh 47M2 Kinzhal (Russia - aero-ballistic, launched from MiG-31K), Air LORA (Israel - airborne LORA adaptation), ROCKS (Israel - Rafael standoff system), JL 1/H 6N integration (China - air-launched strategic deterrent), GAM 87 Skybolt (USA - historical air-launched ICBM).

Anti Drone and Counter UAV Missiles:

Anti drone and counter UAV missiles are specialized, cost effective kinetic interceptors designed to neutralize low flying unmanned aerial vehicles, loitering munitions, and drone swarms without wasting multi million dollar surface to air missiles.

Core technologies include:

Dual Layer Hard Kill: Combines proximity fuzed fragmenting warheads with direct hit infrared or command guided micro missiles.

AI Enabled Tracking: Utilizes computer vision, electro optical/infrared seekers and lock on after launch capabilities to handle targets with low radar cross sections.

Platform Integration: Deployed via ground vehicles, naval decks or integrated into rotary wing aircraft for airborne drone hunting.

Examples: Bhargavastra (India - indigenous multi-layer vehicle-mounted system), Raytheon Coyote (USA - tube-launched UAV interceptor), Roadrunner M (USA - high-speed reusable VTOL interceptor), APKWS II/Vampire (USA - laser-guided 70mm rockets adapted for drones).

Air Defense Systems by Range:

Very Short Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) and MANPADS:

VSHORAD and MANPADS are lightweight, shoulder fired surface to air missile systems designed for individual soldiers to neutralize low altitude aerial threats like helicopters, drones and fixed wing aircraft. They are highly portable, shoulder fired or light vehicle mounted missiles used by infantry to target low flying helicopters and jets.

These systems are typically fire and forget using advanced infrared or ultraviolet homing guidance or electro optical image-processing seekers. Engagement range is effective typically up to 5 to 8 kilometers distance and altitude ceilings up to 4.5 kilometers. Lightweight configurations deployable by infantry, paratroops or amphibious forces have total system weights around 10 to 15 kilograms.

Examples: FIM 92 Stinger (USA - infrared-guided MANPADS), Igla S (Russia - MANPADS), Verba (Russia - 4th generation MANPADS), Starstreak (UK - laser-guided MANPADS), VSHORADS (India - indigenous 4th generation system), FN 6 (China - MANPADS), QW 18 (China - MANPADS), Mistral (France - MANPADS).

Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD):

SHORAD refers to military tactics and anti aircraft weapons designed to protect ground forces and critical assets from low-altitude aerial threats, typically engaging targets at ranges under 10 kilometers and altitudes below 3,000 meters. The target set includes helicopters, low flying fixed wing attack aircraft, cruise missiles, loitering munitions and small Unmanned Aerial Systems.

SHORAD operates at the tactical frontline filling the defensive gap beneath medium range and long range air defense systems. It requires high mobility and rapid response times to keep pace with moving maneuver forces. Systems include very short range shoulder fired missiles, armored vehicles integrated with 360 degree radar and missile pods and increasingly AI enabled target tracking and uncrewed robotic ground vehicles to counter cheap drone swarms cost effectively.

Examples: Tor M1/M2 (Russia - mobile tracked vehicle system), Pantsir S1 (Russia - self propelled gun-missile system), M SHORAD (USA - Stryker/JLTV mounted), Crotale NG (France - mobile short-range), HQ 17 (China - short-range air defense), RBS 70 (Sweden - man-portable/vehicle), MIM 72 Chaparral (USA - retired).

Medium Range Air Defense (MRAD):

Medium-range air defense systems are used to defend military bases, cities and critical infrastructure against aircraft, drones and some cruise missiles at ranges typically from 30 to 100 kilometers. These systems provide tactical regional zone coverage and form an important layer in integrated air defense networks.

Examples: NASAMS (USA/Norway - 30-100 km range), SPYDER (Israel - 30-100 km range), Buk missile system (Russia - 30-100 km range), Akash (India - 30-100 km range), Barak 8 (India/Israel - 30-100 km range), HQ 16 (China - medium-range).

Long Range Air Defense (LRAD):

Long range air defense systems are strategic heavy duty systems designed to create an expansive no fly zone, capable of tracking and destroying high altitude bombers, stealth aircraft and fast tactical jets at ranges from 100 to 400+ kilometers. Modern long range weapons include the MIM 104 Patriot and S 300 systems with effective ranges on the order of 150 kilometers and the Russian S 400 with a range of 400 kilometers.

Examples: S 400 Triumf (Russia - 400 km range), Patriot PAC 3 (USA - 150+ km range), HQ9 (China - 200+ km range), SAMP/T Aster 30 (France/Italy - 100+ km range), S 500 Prometey (Russia - 500+ km range), MIM 104 Patriot (USA - long-range), S 300 (Russia - 150 km range).

Guidance Systems:

Missiles employ various guidance systems to find and track their targets, determining their precision and effectiveness:

Wire Guided: 

Steered via physical wires trailing from the missile, common in older anti tank guided missiles.

Examples: BGM 71 TOW (USA), MILAN (France/Germany).

Command Guided: 

Tracked by a ground radar station that sends directional steering corrections to the missile in flight.

Examples: Early SAM systems, some anti aircraft missiles.

Inertial Guidance:

Uses internal gyroscopes and accelerometers to calculate position without external signals.

Examples: Most ballistic missiles, many cruise missiles.

GPS/Satellite Guided: 

Uses satellite constellations for highly accurate navigation.

Examples: Modern cruise missiles, precision strike weapons like Tomahawk, JASSM.

Active Radar Homing: 

The missile carries its own radar to search for and track the target.

Examples: AIM 120 AMRAAM (USA), AGM 84 Harpoon (USA), Meteor (Europe).

Semi Active Radar Homing: 

The missile homes in on radar energy reflected off the target from an external launcher source.

Examples: AIM 7 Sparrow (USA), RIM 7 Sea Sparrow (USA).

Passive Infrared/Heat Seeking: 

The missile homes in on heat emissions from the target.

Examples: AIM 9 Sidewinder (USA), FIM 92 Stinger (USA), Igla (Russia).

Laser Guided: 

The missile follows a path illuminated by a ground-based laser pointed directly at the target.

Examples: AGM 114 Hellfire (USA), Paveway series (USA), Starstreak (UK).

Electro Optical/Optical Guidance: 

Uses thermal imaging or visual contrast to find and track the target.

Examples: AGM 65 Maverick (USA), Spike missiles (Israel), Nag (India).

Strategic Exotics and Advanced Systems:

Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV):

Hypersonic glide vehicles are boost glide weapons that are boosted high into the atmosphere by a rocket then detach and glide unpowered toward a target while executing unpredictable course corrections. They combine extreme velocity with maneuverability to evade defense systems.

Examples: DF 17 (China - operational HGV), Avangard (Russia - ICBM-mounted HGV), LRHW/Dark Eagle (USA - ground-launched HGV), DF 27 (China - HGV), YJ 17 (China - hypersonic boost glide waverider).

Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRV):

MIRV is an exoatmospheric ballistic missile payload containing several warheads, each capable of being aimed to hit a different target. The concept is almost invariably associated with intercontinental ballistic missiles carrying thermonuclear warheads. All nuclear weapon states except Pakistan and North Korea are confirmed to have deployed MIRV missile systems.

The first true MIRV design was the Minuteman III, first successfully tested in 1968 and introduced into actual use in 1970. The Minuteman III held three smaller W62 warheads, with yields of about 170 kilotons each, in place of the single 1.2 megaton W56 used on the Minuteman II. The introduction of MIRV led to a major change in the strategic balance making it much less expensive to increase attack capability than defense capability.

Examples: Minuteman III (USA - MIRV capable), Trident II (USA/UK - MIRV capable), Yars RS 24 (Russia - MIRV capable), Sarmat RS 28 (Russia - MIRV capable), DF 41 (China - MIRV capable, up to 10 warheads), M51 (France - MIRV capable), Agni V (India - MIRV capable).

Submarine Launch Methods:

Cold Launch System:

Submarines use gas generators or steam pressure instead of onboard rocket ignition to push a missile up through a water filled launch tube. Mechanical force and gas bubbles propel the missile vertically through the water column without damaging the hull from hot exhaust. The main rocket motor or booster fires only after the missile completely clears the ocean's surface.

Torpedo Tube Launch:

Can be used to launch cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, anti air missiles and anti submarine missiles. This launching method does not enable launching missiles from under Arctic ice.

Vertical Launch System (VLS):

Initially developed for SLBM launch, this system has been adapted to launch cruise missiles and anti air missiles. These missiles are usually launched underwater but there is a possibility to surface from under ice to deploy missiles.

MANPADS Launch:

Can be launched from a deployed mast while the submarine is underwater.

Deck Launch:

Small antimair missiles can be launched from the deck once surfaced.