What is a missile system? Types of the missile system

According to military terminologies, a missile is an unmanned airborne component that has its own propelling capacity. The missile itself is not dangerous, but the payload on its warhead decides its destructive power.

Some of the famous personalities in connection to the missile system in India.

• Missile man: Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
• Missile woman: Tessy Thomas
• Rocket man: Kailasavadivoo Sivan
• Father of Remote Sensing Satellite: Krishnaswami Kasturirangan
• Father of Nuclear Science: Homie Jehangir Bhaba

There are various types of missiles being developed, broadly it is classified as:

Strategic missile: missiles that have a high range and cause permanent damage beyond the enemy line are known as strategic missiles. e.g. Agni-5 missile (India). Ballistic missiles are generally considered under this category. Ballistic missiles are those missiles that have:

• High range nearly 3,000 to over 5,000 kilometers.

• Cruise at maintaining high altitude, mostly they reach space and return back identifying the target.
• Have multiple parts (four) that get separated one after the other after a certain distance is reached.
• These missiles cause permanent damage in main parts of the enemy land such as cities, main industrial complex, etc.
• They use rocket engines as jet engines cannot operate in outer space.
• Capable of hitting multiple targets on its way.
• Flares or decoys are used to protect them from the enemies’ anti-missile system.

Tactical missiles: missiles that have short-range and cause temporary damage beyond the enemy line are known as strategic missiles. e.g. Indo Russian jointly developed the Brahmos missile. Cruise missiles are mainly considered under this category. Cruise missiles are those missiles that have:

• A short-range of less than 1,000 kilometers.
• Cruise at very low altitude. That's why they are also called tree missiles. 
• They don't have parts.
• Uses a jet engine to fly.
• They cause temporary damage just like RDX or a grenade at the point where it hits.