Ballistic Missile vs Cruise Missile | Difference between Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile
This page compares Ballistic Missile vs Cruise Missile and mentions difference between Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile.
Introduction:
Definition: Basically any object thrown at a target with the aim of hitting
it is called missile.
In this context, a stone thrown at a bird is
also known as a missile. The bird by using its power of reasoning
may evade the missile (i.e. stone) by moving either to the left,
right, top or bottom with respect to the flight path (trajectory)
of the missile. Hence the missile in this case has been
ineffective in its objective of hitting the bird (i.e. the target).
Now if the stone is imparted with some intelligence and quick
response to move with respect to the bird, to overcome aiming errors and
the bird's evasive actions and hit it accurately, the stone now becomes
a guided missile.
A guided missile is a rocket propelled missile whose
path can be controlled during flight either by radio
signals or by internal homing devices.
Based on their launch methods, there are two types of missiles viz. Ballistic Missile and
Cruise Missile.
Ballistic Missile

• A ballistic missile is a missile which has a ballistic trajectory over
most of its flight path, regardless of whether or not it is a
weapon delivery vehicle.
• It is launched directly into high layers of earth's atmosphere.
It travels well outside the atmosphere and then warhead gets detached and falls down to earth.
As it depends on gravity to reach its target, it is known as ballistic missile.
• Ballistic missiles are categorized according to
their range, maximum distance measured along the surface of
earth's ellipsoid from point of launch to the point of impact of the
last element of their payload.
• Ballistic missiles can be launched from ships and land
based facilities.
• Examples: Agni-I, Agni-II, Prithvi-I, Prithvi-II, Dhanush
Cruise Missile

• A cruise missile is an unmanned self propelled guided
vehicle which sustains flight through aerodynamic lift for most
of its flight path and whose primary mission is to place an
ordnance or special payload on a target.
• They fly within the earth's atmosphere and use
jet engine technology.
• Depending upon the speed such missiles are classified
as subsonic cruise missile, supersonic cruise missile and hypersonic cruise missile.
• Examples: Brahmos (Supersonic, 290 Km), Nirbhay (Subsonic, 1000 Km),
Shaurya (Hypersonic, 750-1900 Km)
Difference between Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile
Following table mentions difference between ballistic missile and cruise missile with respect to various specifications/features.
Features | Ballistic Missile | Cruise Missile |
---|---|---|
Range | From low to very high, upto 15000 Km | Mostly around 1000 Km, upto 4000 Km |
Altitude | High, easily detectable on radar | Low, Hard to detect them on radar |
Precision | Low (around a few hundred meters), fit for large targets | High (a few meters), fit for small and mobile targets |
Speed | Upto 25000 Km/h at impact, very hard to intercept | Around 1000 Km/h, possibility to intercept |
Target mechanism | It has boost stage and later falls unpowered onto the target. Ballistic missiles travel mostly vertically on a rocket motor and come down unpowered on the target. | It has cruise motor which burns all the way into the target. Cruise missiles have jet engines which kick on during the cruise phase. They ride this continuous thrust into the target. |
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