WHAT IS A MISSILE ?
A bomb is simply a warhead, and once released is completely governed by the laws of ballistics, meaning the only force that acts upon it after it is released is the force of gravity.
If we attach any type of propulsion system to a bomb, it becomes a rocket. Because of its means of propulsion, a rocket can travel farther and faster than a bomb.
If a guiding and control mechanism is attached to a rocket, it becomes a missile.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BALLISTIC AND CRUISE MISSILES ?
The full name of a ballistic missile is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, or an ICBM.
They are used to launch a weapon, such as nuclear warhead to hit predetermined targets at incredible distances – even between continents.
Although it's easy to detect a ballistic missile, it's almost impossible to intercept it
A cruise missile, on the other hand, is a small pointless, unmanned self-propelled guided vehicle that carries an explosive warhead.
It can be made so accurate that it can be aimed at any specific place like a window or a door. Its flight can be guided for a longer period.
WHICH COUNTRY HAS HOW MANY BALLISTIC MISSILE ?
India's Agni and Prithvi are ballistic missile systems while BrahMos is a cruise missile system. Overall 31 countries have operational ballistic missile systems.
China - 19
Russia - 16
Iran - 11
India, N Korea & Pakistan - 6
United States - 4
Israel - 3
France & Saudi - 2
United Kingdom - 1
WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE WORLD MOST POWERFUL OPERATIONAL BALLISTIC MISSILE ?
Russia, Unites States and China have many missile systems that qualify for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile range.
With a range of 10,200 to 16,000 km, Russia's R-36 ( SS-18 Satan ), a Soviet Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) is the world's heaviest and most powerful ICBM.
