Misiles working

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Missiles:

Missile is something like a "thrown object". It follows a trajectory and hits the target. Basically, every weapon is a "thrown object", the difference comes in the mechanism of the throw. Even the gun rounds are referred as projectiles. The gun powder is used to throw the projectile with high velocity to hit the target. 

Again the target destruction is based on 

• type of projectile
• speed of projectile
• size of projctile
• nature of projectile

Here are some military terms regarding the missiles or thrown objects -

Munitions projected towards a target are classified as - -

1. A powered and guided munition (guided missile)
2. A powered and unguided munition (rockets)
3. Un powered munitions - bombs
4. unpowered and guided munitions - smart bombs
5. munitions fired from a gun - projectiles , if explosive - mortar bombs
6. powered munitions that target through water - torpedoes
7. Hand grenades

missiles can be said to be of two types :

• guided missiles
• cruise missiles

The basic functioning of a missile consists of four levels :

1. missile guidance
2. flight system
3. engine
4. war head

Guided systems:

Target must be identified and the interceptor or missile should be guided towards the target. The guidance system guides the interceptor towards the target. (missile towards the target). Guidance can be provided by the use of - 

• Infrared
• heat
• radio waves
• lasers

The missile technology of the enemy itself may prove handy for the defence units. The above mentioned waves or emmisives are emitted by the missile launched or the launching base or by the communication systems. 

Missile can lock the target and defence control units can set them loose on the target or it may be guided by the operator from the control base.

For static targets, guidance systems use INS (Inertial navigation system), TERCOM, satellite guidance to intercept the target. This is otherwise known as targetting system.

Flight system:

**Important phase which co-ordinates with guidance system/targeting system.

It constantly keeps track of the target and maneuver accordingly.

Thrust can be provided by different types of engines

Missiles can aslo have multiple stages of propulsions which may include both types of engines. For example GSLV mark III vehicle uses three stages of thrusts. one is solid propellant, nxt is liquid propellant, and cryogenic engine. And BRAHMOS has two stage propellant system, with a solid-propellant rocket for initial acceleration and a liquid-fuelled ramjet responsible for sustained supersonic cruise.

War heads:

These provide primary destructive power and the secondary is provided by the high kinetic ebergy and unburnt fuel of the missile. War heads may be of different types and Brahmos carries 200 kg of warhead (ship based and land based). Brahmos A can carry 300 kg of war head.

Types of warheads - 

• Chemical
• biological
• nuclear
• Conventional
• Explosive
• Blast
• EMP
• Continuous rod
• Shaped charge

After all this , we must actually detonate the warhead, and there are types of detonations also.

They are

Type	Definition
Contact	When the warhead makes physical contact with the target, the explosive is detonated. Sometimes combined with a delay, to detonate a specific amount of time after contact.
Proximity	Using radar, sound waves, a magnetic sensor, or a laser the warhead is detonated when the target is within a specified distance. It is often coupled with directional explosion control system that ensures that the explosion sends the fragmentation primarily towards the target that triggered it.
Remote	remotely detonated via signal from operator (Not normally used for warheads except for self-destruction)
Timed	Warhead is detonated after a specific amount of time.
Altitude	Warhead is detonated once it falls to a specified altitude.
Combined	Any combination of the above.

**** Worlds fastest ballastic missile - Russian Topol M (SS-27 sickle B), velocity 7320 m/s

Worlds fastest cruise missile - Brahmos (supersonic) , velocity 3.8 mach