Intermediate-range ballistic missile
- Intermediate-range ballistic missile
An intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) is a ballistic missile with a range of 3,000-5,500 km (1,865-3,420 miles), between a medium-range ballistic missile and an intercontinental ballistic missile. Classifying ballistic missiles by range is done mostly for convenience, in principle there is very little difference between a low-performance ICBM and a high-performance IRBM. The range definition used here is used within the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Some other sources include an additional category, the long-range ballistic missile, or LRBM, to describe missiles with a range between IRBMs and true ICBMs. The more modern term theater ballistic missile encompasses IRBMs, MRBMs and SRBMs, including any ballistic missile with a range under 3,500 km. IRBMs are currently operated by France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, China, India and North KoreaFact|date=March 2008. Some countries, such as Iran, Israel and Pakistan are said to be developing them.
pecific IRBMs
*Agni III (3,500-5,000 km) (India)
*Dong-Feng 4 (4,750-5,500 km) (China)
Alternative use of launchers
IRBMs are frequently turned into small satellite launchers via the addition of (usually multiple) upper stages. In the U.S., this happened to both the "Thor" and "Jupiter". A derivative of the "Redstone", the "Jupiter-C" launched the U.S.'s first satellite, "Explorer 1".
History
The progenitor for the IRBM was the A4b rocket winged for increased range and based on the famous V2 (Vergeltung, or "Reprisal", officially called A4) rocket designed by Wernher von Braun widely used by Nazi Germany at the end of World War II to bomb English and Belgian cities. Also as the first IRBM may be considered separate second stage A9 of ballistic missile A9/A10 rocket. A4b and A9 rockets were tested few times in December 1944 and January and February 1945. All of these rockets used liquid propellant. A4b used an inertial guidance system, A9 controlled by pilot. They started from a non-mobile launch pad. Following WWII von Braun and other lead Nazi scientists were secretly transferred to the United States to work directly for the U.S. Army through Operation Paperclip developing the V2 into the weapon for the United States.
ee also
*Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM)
*Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)
*Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
* Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Intermediate-range ballistic missile — Missile balistique Tir d un missile Titan II depuis son silo; cet engin fut opérationnel à partir de 1962. Un missile balistique est un missile dont une partie de la trajectoire est balistique, c est à dire influencée uniquement par la gravité et … Wikipédia en Français
intermediate range ballistic missile — Missile Mis sile, n. [L. missile.] 1. A weapon thrown or projected or intended to be projected, as a lance, an arrow, or a bullet. [1913 Webster] 2. A rocket propelled device designed to fly through the air and deliver a warhead of explosive… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
intermediate range ballistic missile — ballistic missile al*lis tic mis sile, n. A rocket propelled missile of long range which is guided only during the powered portion of its flight, which usually takes only a small part of the total flight time; contrasted with {guided missile}.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
intermediate range ballistic missile — any supersonic missile that has a range of 800 to 1500 nautical mi. (1500 to 2800 km) and follows a ballistic trajectory after a powered, guided launching. Abbr.: IRBM, I.R.B.M. [1955 60] * * * intermediate range ballistic missile, a ballistic… … Useful english dictionary
intermediate-range ballistic missile — noun a ballistic missile with a range of 1500 to 2800 km. Abbrev.: IRBM …
intermediate range ballistic missile — any supersonic missile that has a range of 800 to 1500 nautical mi. (1500 to 2800 km) and follows a ballistic trajectory after a powered, guided launching. Abbr.: IRBM, I.R.B.M. [1955 60] * * * … Universalium
Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile — nuclear missile that can travel distances between 600 and 3.500 miles, IRBM … English contemporary dictionary
Medium-range ballistic missile — IRBM and MRBM missiles. A medium range ballistic missile (MRBM), is a type of ballistic missile with medium range, this last classification depending on the standards of certain organizations. Within the U.S. Department of Defense, a medium range … Wikipedia
Short-range ballistic missile — A short range ballistic missile (SRBM) is a ballistic missile with a range of about 1000 km or less. They are usually capable of carrying nuclear weapons. In potential regional conflicts, these missiles would be used because of the short… … Wikipedia
Battlefield Range Ballistic Missile — (abbreviated to BRBM) is a type of ballistic missile with battlefield range.pecific BRBM s* Hatf I * Abdali Iee also*Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) *Intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) *Short range ballistic missile (SRBM)… … Wikipedia
