Ballistic missiles

Rocket Propulsion: The principles of rocket propulsion that provide the necessary lift-off, acceleration and maneuvering to ballistic missiles.

Aerodynamics: The study of air flow and how it interacts with the missile's surface. Understanding aerodynamics is crucial in designing missiles that can reach their target with high precision.

Guidance Systems: The technology that enables missiles to navigate towards their target. This includes GPS, radar, and other sensors.

Warhead Design: The type of explosive used, and its detonation characteristics are critical to the effectiveness of a missile strike. The shape of the warhead and its ability to penetrate the target are also important.

Launch Platforms: The platforms from which missiles are launched can significantly impact their range, accuracy, and survivability.

Missile Defense Systems: The technology used to defend against ballistic missiles, including radar, missile interceptors, and sensor networks.

Post-boost Vehicle: The vehicle that carries the warhead after the rocket burn has completed. It is responsible for guidance, in-flight corrections, and deploying the warhead.

Range and Payload Capacity: A missile's range and payload capacity are determined by its design, propulsion system, and guidance system.

MIRVs and MARVs: MIRVs or Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, and MARVs, or Maneuverable reentry vehicles, are advanced technologies that allow missiles to carry multiple warheads or individual reentry vehicles, which can independently target different locations.

Treaty Obligations: The treaties and agreements that regulate ballistic missile technology and control arms proliferation are a significant aspect of any discussion on the topic of ballistic missiles. These include the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), and New START treaties, etc.

Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM): A long-range missile designed to travel thousands of kilometers and deliver a nuclear or conventional warhead to enemy targets.

Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM): A ballistic missile that is launched from a submarine and is capable of striking enemy targets while being submerged.

Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM): A missile with a range of 1,000-3,000 km and capable of striking targets at shorter distances than an ICBM.

Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM): A missile with a range of less than 1,000 km and is typically used for strategic or tactical purposes.

Tactical ballistic missile (TBM): A short-range missile that is designed to be used on the battlefield against enemy targets, including troops, armored vehicles, and command centers.

Anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM): A missile designed to hit and destroy enemy warships, including aircraft carriers and other large vessels.

Anti-satellite ballistic missile (ASAT): A missile designed to destroy or disable enemy satellites in orbit.

Fractional orbital bombardment system (FOBS): A missile that travels around the Earth's surface and then enters the atmosphere to strike an enemy target, making it difficult to intercept.

Multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV): A missile that has multiple warheads that can be independently targeted, increasing the missile's destructive power.

Maneuverable re-entry vehicles (MaRV): A missile that has the ability to change its flight path during re-entry, making it difficult to intercept.