The world is populated with a wide range of long-established missile variants in service, ever more powerful designs are either in the planning stages or are being realized with the implementation of recent high budget programs. One example would be the recent work on BrahMos shared by India and Russia. The recent parades of military strength coupled with displays of new weaponry conducted in Russia, North Korea, India, China and Iran have military watchers noting that it’s impossible to know exactly what will emerge next. Here’s a list of some of the Top 5 most powerful missiles in the world.
1. LGM-30 Minuteman III (United states)-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. 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
2. RS-28 Sarmat Satan 2 (Russia)-This warhead has the capability to destroy targets flying across the North and the South Poles. Its range is expected to exceed 6,800 miles. 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.
3. 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
4. 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. 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 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.
