MILNET: Strategic Missiles

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Strategic Missiles are typically characterized as long range (ICBM -- Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile with ranges in the 4,000+ nm region) intermediate range (IRBM -- Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile with a range in the 2,000 nm region), and short range (SRBM - Short Range Ballistic Missile with ranges less than 1000nm). A fourth type is launched from a submerged submarine and is called a SLBM -- Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile. These are typically IRBMs or ICBMs launched from a vertical tube in the submarine. Note also that the short range ballistic missile would be used to threaten a local neighbor, while ICBMs can be used to threaten anyone in the world. SLBMs, since their delivery vehicle can literally be driven up close in stealthy fashion (submarines are quite capable), can threaten any country in the world as well.

The Ballistic Missile portion of their name is due to the typical launch and trajectory methodology. Similar to artillery, the strategic missile is launched in an arching trajectory to reach its target. However, the strategic missile is typically ex-atmospheric, that is, it leaves the atmosphere, enters a short term orbit, and then reenters the atmosphere. The use of the term "orbit" is perhaps an exageration, since any such orbit is truly short term, in the range of perhaps a few minutes, and certainly describes a path incapable of sustaining a single full orbit of the earth.

C.E.P.

Thus the measure of accuracy becomes important. CEP stands for Circular Error Probable, and is essentially the mean point within a radius of a circle where 50 percent of the missile type is fired will fall. This is at the maximum range of the missile, however, CEP gets better in non-linear fashion as the target is closer than the maximum range, to some finite point where the system is at its best accuracy and can improve no more.

CEP is important only when referring to military targets. The reason it is important is that many military targets, especially hardened ones, require that the blast and crater damage obliterate the specific physical target, rather than just blow down or contaminate an area. Total area denial is the credo for attacks on military targets, thus obliteration is the best method to ensure this result. CEP then tells us how close the crater will be to the actual specific target point, and therefore how effective the attack will be upon the military target.

A CEP of 0.2 nm is marginally effective against hardened targets however is excellent for attack on softer military targets where precision is necessary. For most military targets, a CEP of 0.3 may not be effective. Any CEP less than 0.1 nm is excellent and quite effective against hardened targets. For instance, the most accurate ICBM today is the Trident II D-5 (UGM-133A) with a CEP of 0.066 nm, accurate to within 122 meters of the target. This places the blast crater dimensions nearly on top of the intended target, and the maximum depth of the crater within the critical area of a silo or other target which is buried 100 feet underground.

Below we present a chart of the strategic missiles of the world. Some missiles are thought to be in development to carry newly acquired nuclear weapons (India and Pakistan for instance) however are not included in this chart.

For more information on future national deployments, see the excellent report on non-proliferation from the U.S. government titled Proliferation: Threat and Response.

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