The 10 Most Powerful Missiles in the World

 

1. SS-N-30

Russian warships let fly 26 of these cruise missiles on October 7, 2017. They were sent to Syrian rebel targets located 1,000 miles from the warships located in the Caspian Sea. The Pentagon provided the name for these almost unknown missiles, as they were a surprise even to those who keep a regular, well-trained eye on Russian and its military. The attack is being viewed as a kind of calling card to the rest of the world that Russia’s new missiles have taken their place amongst the most advanced in existence. The missiles completed the objectives of striking 11 targets including a terrorist training camp, command centers, armament, oil, and munitions storage, and ammunition and explosive producing plants. Though exact statistics are obviously unavailable, the missiles demonstrated that they are similar to the Tomahawks used in combat successfully by Great Britain and the United States.

2. LGM-30 Minuteman III ICBM

This intercontinental ballistic missile is one part of the United States’ strategic deterrent forces. Its name describes its function:

• The letter “L” is the way the Defense Department designates missiles which are launched from a hardened silo.
• The letter “G” stands for a surface attack.
• The letter “M” means it is a guided missile.

Minuteman missiles have existed since the late 1950s. These weapons provide quick reactions, inertial guidance, high reliability, high accuracy, and significant, long distance target capabilities. As of 2015, more than 450 Minuteman III missiles are in force in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. Since the first Minuteman I missile was deployed in the 1960s, the series has been continuously upgraded and enhanced. Created by Boeing Company, these missiles feature a minimum of:

• Three solid-propellant rocket motors with three stages of ATKs
• Three stages of chemical systems thrust, including 203,158 pounds in the first stage, 60,793 pounds in the second stage, and 35,086 pounds in the third stage
• A range of more than 6,000 miles
• Speeds of approximately 15,000 mph

3. RS-28 Sarmat “Satan 2”

This warhead has the capability to destroy targets flying across the North and the South Poles. It was first unveiled on the website of Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau in 2016. Its range is expected to exceed 6,800 miles, with the capability of destroying areas of the earth comparable in size to France or Texas. Yuri Bosiov, Russian Deputy Defense Minister announced this news to TASS, the Russian state news agency. The warhead is one successor the R-36M Voyevoda, and news of its existence was released just after Moscow made the announcement that it has suspended the arms reduction agreement it has held with the United States. The new Satan 2 replaces the SS-19 Satan missiles, and solidifies fears that a world without nuclear weapons is a dream which has come to an end

4. DF-41

This is China’s most deadly intercontinental ballistic missile. In fact, it is one of the world’s deadliest. Though exact specifications are not yet known, it is believed that it was entered into use in 2016 or 2017. Its range is estimated to be 12,000 kilometers, which gives it the capability to target all areas of Europe, Russia, and the United States, reaching any of these countries within a mere 20 to 25 minutes. It carries solid fuel and up to 10 MIRVs- the Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicles which add to its overall power. Making it even more accurate is the internal BeiDou Chinese satellite navigation system. The missile is carried into launch position by the Tian HTF5980 cross country vehicle with a 16 X 16 configured, special wheeled chassis.

5. Tomahawk Cruise Missile

The Tomahawk was first deployed in 1984. It was named for the axe used by Native Americans. It is subsonic cruise missile designed for long-range flight to strike land targets which are either heavily defended or of high value. It travels at approximately 550mph and has a range of about 1,500 miles. The missile can be piloted to take evasive routes using guidance systems tailored to specific missions. Its official title is Tomahawk Land Attack Missile or TLAM. It has been successfully launched from both US and UK submarines and US Navy surface ships. There are several variants of the Tomahawk, with various enhancements. The most recent are capable of being re-programmed during flight using satellite communications to program alternate targets or to re-direct using GPS coordinates. It carries a nuclear warhead, and depending on the model, additional bomblets.

6. UGM-133 Trident II

Lockheed Martin built this submarine-launched ballistic missile. It is deployed by both the United States and United Kingdom navies. It has been in service since 1990, though variants have added greater payloads, longer range and increased accuracy since the missile was first developed. These improvements have given it the ability to function as one of the most efficient first strike weapons. It launches within seconds after the command is given to breach the water surface and begin flight toward its target. The Trident II is comprised of three solid-fuel rocket motors which ignite in sequence to propel the rocket forward. It has a range of 4,230 nautical miles and can receive GPS updates via its MK 6 Astro-inertial guidance system. It has carried a range of warheads with varying payloads, and will receive a new warhead design for future engagements.

7. Jericho III

This intercontinental ballistic missile is the first for Israel. It was preceded by the short-range Jericho I and the medium-range Jericho II. There is some indication that it shares technology with the space launch vehicle known as Shavit. The Jericho missiles have evolved over time, and the current version has a warhead that is guided by radar and having a substantial range. In fact, it encompasses the entirety of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. It also can reach most of North Oceania, and North and South America. For this reason, it allows a nuclear warhead launch into most any location on Earth, giving the Israel Defense Forces considerable clout. It has a significant velocity of reentry, and this makes it immune to the missile defense systems currently in place on Earth. The silos which house the Jericho III are thought to be impervious to almost any nuclear attack.

8. Agni Missiles I-VI

This family of long range, nuclear, surface to surface ballistic weapons are named after the Hindu god of fire. The Agni I, II, and III are already in service. The Agni IV as completed its trials as of January 2017, and the Agni V should enter service within the Indian Army sometime from 2017 to 2018. The missiles represent variants in range, payload, and number of rocket stages. The Agni III is remarkably accurate and considered worldwide to be one of the most accurate in the intermediate range class. The series use some of the most advanced navigation and control technology; developed indigenously.

9. M51

This French SLBM submarine missile is the only ICBM which France has, and as such, it is significant to their military strike force. It is a variant of less powerful predecessors, upgraded to a range of 8,000 kilometers. The three-stage solid-propellant weapon can attack targets all around the globe with deadly results. When launched, the missile powers upwards for several hundred kilometers to launch from six to ten MIRVs. Each of these has a thermonuclear warhead of 107 kilotons, which ultimately speed down to their targets at Mach 25, finally deploying penetration aids which ensure success. It takes just 20 minutes to travel 4,500 km, allowing no response time for intended targets.

10. BGM-71 TOW 2B

This newest version flies to a position over a tank and fires projectiles into the tank, piercing its top armor. Previous versions are wired, but this newest one is wireless. The TOW can deploy from any vehicle on the ground. Raytheon took in orders totaling more than a half-billion dollars in September 2017 to build these wireless, radio-controlled weapons, which are the precision anti-armor weapons used by more than 40 armed forces internationally today.

This is the designation for the classic missile system in use since 1970 by American forces. TOW means:

• Tube launched
• Optically tracked
• Wire guided