Important Facts For Prelims
Tomahawk Missiles
- 17 Oct 2025
- 4 min read
Why in News?
The U.S. President has indicated that Washington may consider supplying long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if Russia does not undertake credible measures to de-escalate the ongoing conflict.
What are Tomahawk Missiles?
- About: The Tomahawk is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile. It can be launched from ships and submarines for precision strikes on high-value or heavily defended targets.
- The missile’s low-altitude flight path and advanced guidance systems allow it to evade radar and navigate complex terrain.
- Propulsion: The missile fires a solid propellant at launch, then runs on a turbofan that emits minimal heat, so it’s hard to spot with infrared sensors.
- Guidance Systems: Uses GPS, Inertial Navigation System (INS), TERCOM (terrain mapping), and DSMAC (digital scene matching) for high precision.
- Modern variants allow mid-flight reprogramming, enabling real-time target adjustments or mission aborts.
What is the Difference Between a Cruise Missile and a Ballistic Missile?
|
Parameter |
Cruise Missile |
Ballistic Missile |
|
Trajectory |
Follows a comparatively straight and controlled trajectory. |
Travels in a projectile path; trajectory depends on gravity, air resistance, and Coriolis Force. |
|
Flight Path |
Remains within the Earth’s atmosphere throughout its flight. |
Leaves the Earth’s atmosphere and re-enters it. |
|
Range |
Short-range missile |
Long-range missile |
|
Indian Examples |
Prithvi I & II, Agni series, Dhanush. Shaurya, K-15 (Sagarika), K-4 (Submarine-launched). |
|
|
Global Examples |
Tomahawk (USA), Kalibr (Russia), CJ-10 (China), Babur (Pakistan). |
Minuteman III (USA), DF-41 (China), RS-24 Yars (Russia), Shaheen-II (Pakistan). |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are Tomahawk missiles and who uses them?
Long-range, subsonic cruise missiles used by US, UK, Australia; launched from ships/submarines for precision strikes on high-value targets.
2. What are the key features of cruise missiles?
Fly within the atmosphere, guided, subsonic or supersonic, powered throughout, highly accurate, range up to ~2,000 km, carry conventional or nuclear warheads.
3. What are the key features of ballistic missiles?
Follow a parabolic trajectory, exit and re-enter the atmosphere, long-range (300–12,000 km), less accurately, carry conventional or nuclear warheads.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. Consider the following statements : (2023)
- Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocketpowered only in the initial phase of flights.
- Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: (d)
Q. What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)
(a) An Israeli radar system
(b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme
(c) An American anti-missile system
(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea.
Ans: (c)
