How accurate are ballistic missiles?

Ballistic missiles have a long and successful history in militaries around the world. But how accurate are they? A ballistic missile is fired from an inclined or vertical launch platform, which gives it its initial thrust. Once the missile is clear of the launch platform, its engines take over and provide sustained propulsion for the rest of the flight. The three primary types of ballistic missiles are surface-to-surface (SS), air-to-surface (AS), and submarine-launched (SL). Ballistic missiles can be very accurate, depending on their range.

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Accuracy:

Ballistic missiles can be very accurate, depending on the design and the conditions under which they are fired.

The Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), for example, is reported to have a circular error probable (CEP) of only 90 feet. _{Source Link}

This means that, in theory, 90% of the missiles fired should land within a circle with a radius of 90 feet around the target.

The accuracy of a ballistic missile is affected by many factors, including the weather and the terrain over which it is traveling. In general, the longer the distance to the target, the less accurate the missile will be. Ballistic missiles are also more accurate when launched from a platform that is stable and has good support from its launch crew. The accuracy of a ballistic missile depends on a number of factors, including:

1. The type of missile;
2. The range of the missile;
3. The payload of the missile;
4. The altitude at which the missile detonates; and
5. The weather conditions at the time of detonation.

Ballistic missiles can be extremely accurate, even without nuclear warheads. The U.S., for example, has a missile defense system that is designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles. The system has been tested and it is highly accurate.

Range:

Ballistic missiles can travel a long way, making them a powerful weapon. Range is one of the ballistic missile’s deadliest advantages. They can travel a long way, making them a powerful weapon. ballistic missiles can travel up to 6,000 km, which is more than enough to strike targets in neighboring countries. Ballistic missiles are also harder to intercept because of their high speed and unpredictable path. This makes them a formidable weapon that can cause serious damage to an adversary.

^{A comparison bar graph of longer range intermediate-range ballistic and cruise missile force development for the US and Soviet Union during the period 1945 to 1990. From Soviet Military Power 1985}
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Warheads:

Ballistic missiles can carry a variety of warheads, depending on their intended use. The most common are nuclear warheads, but missiles can also carry conventional explosives, chemical weapons, or biological agents. A nuclear warhead is the most destructive type of warhead, and can cause extensive damage to both people and infrastructure. Conventional explosives are less powerful than nuclear weapons but can still cause extensive damage, especially if they are used in a densely populated area. Chemical and biological weapons are less destructive than nuclear or conventional weapons, but they can still kill large numbers of people if used in a populated area.

What constitutes an accurate ballistic missile?

A ballistic missile is typically said to be accurate if its Circular Error Probable (CEP) is less than 10 kilometers. This means that, on average, a missile will fall within 10 kilometers of its intended target. However, this doesn't mean that all missiles will hit their targets within this margin of error. The accuracy of a ballistic missile depends on a number of factors, including the type of warhead it carries, the terrain it's launched from, and the weather conditions at the time. Ballistic missiles with non-nuclear warheads can be extremely accurate as well.

One example of an extremely accurate ballistic missile is the Russian RS-28 Sarmat. With a CEP of just 2 meters, this missile has a much lower margin of error than most other ballistic missiles.

The bottom line:

Ballistic missiles are an effective and deadly weapon, but their accuracy depends on a number of factors. The guidance system, the weather, and the target's location all play a role in how accurate the missile is.

A ballistic missile is fired from a fixed point on land or at sea. It travels through the air in a ballistic arc, meaning that it does not follow a straight line like a jet airplane. This makes it difficult to hit a specific target.

The guidance system is what directs the missile to its target. There are two types of guidance systems: inertial guidance and terminal guidance. Inertial guidance uses gyroscopes to keep track of the missile's position and trajectory. Terminal guidance uses radar or lasers to track the target and guide the missile to it.

Guidance systems:

The guidance system of a ballistic missile plays a huge role in its accuracy. It is important for a ballistic missile's guidance system to be as accurate as possible in order to ensure that the missile hits its target. There are a few different types of guidance systems that can be used in ballistic missiles: inertial guidance, terrain contour matching, and global positioning system (GPS) guidance. Inertial guidance systems use accelerometers and gyroscopes to track the missile's movement and determine its position. Terrain contour matching systems compare the altitude of the missile with the altitude of nearby features on the ground in order to calculate its trajectory. GPS guidance systems use satellite signals to determine the location of the missile and calculate its trajectory.

credit: flickr, license: (CC BY 2.0)

All three of these types of guidance systems can be very accurate, but GPS guidance systems are generally considered to be the most accurate.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, ballistic missiles are fairly accurate but can be improved with better guidance systems. Ballistic missiles are a type of guided missile that follow a ballistic trajectory. They are designed to travel long distances and deliver a payload to a specific target. Ballistic missiles can be very accurate, but they can be improved with better guidance systems. In conclusion, ballistic missiles are an effective weapon system that can be used for military or strategic purposes.

Ballistic missiles are used in warfare to deliver explosives to a target. They have been used extensively in the Middle East, and have been known to be fairly accurate. However, recent tests by North Korea have shown that these missiles may not be as accurate as previously thought. The tests showed that the missiles landed far from their intended targets, raising questions about the accuracy of ballistic missiles.