Missile Types and Their Functions

Missile Types

• Cruise Missile: Targets naval vessels; follows a low-level flight path for precision.
• Anti-Ship Missile: Specifically designed to engage and destroy naval targets.
• Anti-Submarine Missile: Targets and engages submarines effectively.
• Anti-Tank Guided Missile: Focused on destroying tanks and armored vehicles.
• Anti-Satellite Weapon: Designed to target and disable satellites in orbit.
• Anti-Radiation Missile: Homes in on enemy radar installations to neutralize threats.

Propulsion Systems

• Solid Rocket Propellant: Provides quick, powerful thrust, commonly associated with short-range missiles.
• Liquid Rocket Propellant: Offers enhanced control and efficiency; typically used in long-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
• Hybrid Rocket Propellant: Combines solid and liquid propellant elements, allowing for greater operational flexibility.
• Ramjet/Scramjet Engines: Enable cruise missiles to achieve high speeds over extended distances.

Future Missile Technology

• Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD): Intercepts and destroys short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles using kinetic kill technology reliant on energy from impact.

Defence Technology

• Fighter Engagement: Involves deploying fighters to intercept and neutralize airborne threats at extended ranges.
• Stealth Technology: Innovations designed to reduce an aircraft's radar cross-section, helping to evade detection.
• Advanced Avionics: Refers to integrated digital flight systems and improvements in aerodynamics for aircraft.
• New Aircraft Development: Introduction of next-generation fighters, like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Key Components of Missiles

• Key components of missiles include propulsion systems, guidance units, and armament.

Missile Categories

• Air-to-Air Missile (AAM): Fired from aircraft to target and destroy other aircraft, e.g., AIM-9 Sidewinder.
• Air-to-Surface Missile (ASM): Launched from aircraft targeting ground installations.
• Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM): Ground-launched missiles aimed at destroying incoming aircraft or missiles, e.g., Patriot missile.
• Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM): Ground-launched missiles hitting targets on land or sea, e.g., Harpoon (AGM-84).

Specific Missiles

• Ballistic Missile: Designed for long-range delivery of warheads, including nuclear capabilities.
• Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM): Transports nuclear warheads across continents through a high-arc trajectory.
• Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM): Launched from submarines, providing strategic second-strike capabilities.
• Anti-Ballistic Missile: Created to intercept and neutralize incoming ballistic missile threats.

Fighter Aircraft Types

• Fighter Aircraft: Prioritized for air-to-air combat against enemy aircraft.
• Refueling Tankers: Essential for aerial refueling operations, e.g., Luftwaffe Airbus A310 MRTT.
• Interceptors: Designed to thwart enemy aircraft missions (bombers and reconnaissance).

Generational Evolution of Fighters

• Gen 1 Fighters: Early jet fighters featuring simple designs and turbojets, e.g., F-86 Sabre.
• Gen 2 Fighters: Introduced onboard radar and passive homing infrared-guided missiles, e.g., MiG-21.
• Gen 3 Fighters: Featured improved radar systems, advanced avionics, and multifunction missiles, e.g., F-4 Phantom.
• Gen 4 Fighters: Enhanced maneuverability and fly-by-wire systems, e.g., MiG-29.
• Gen 4.5 Fighters: Upgrades in radar systems and avionics including thrust vectoring, e.g., Eurofighter Typhoon.
• Gen 5 Fighters: Next-generation aircraft with stealth capabilities and internal weapon bays, e.g., F-22 Raptor.