User:Stormchaser89/sandbox/List of Ballistic Missiles

This is a list of ballistic missiles from around the world ranked by launch platform and operational range. Land based missiles are those launched from some some form of site on land whether it is a fixed site or is mobile, sea based missiles are those launched from a mobile platform in the ocean, air Launched missiles are those launched from an aircraft. Range classification here is strictly based on the one used on the main article Ballistic missile.

Range definitions are as follows: Short and Medium range ballisitc missiles are commonly grouped under the category Theatre ballistic missile (TBM): Range between 300 km and 3,500 km
 * Tactical ballistic missile (TBM) or battlefield-range ballisitc missile (BRBM): Range up to 300 km
 * Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM): Range between 300 km and 1,000 km
 * Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM): Range between 1,000 km and 3,500 km
 * Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) or long-range ballistic missile (LRBM): Range between 3,500 km and 5,500 km
 * Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM): Range greater than 5,500 km

For simplicity missiles are categorized by their absolute maximum range as some missiles have shortest to longest ranges that fit into two different range classes. For example a missile with an operation range of 800-1200km would be both a short range and medium range ballistic missile (SRBM/MRBM). Note that some missiles are commonly classed deferentially than their real maximum range would suggest, thus failing to meet that true range category. For example a missile is commonly called an IRBM, however its maximum range places it in the MRBM category, thus it is not truly and IRBM.

Land Based Missiles
These are ballistic missiles launched from land based sources such as launch pads, hardened bunkers, underground silos, specially designed missile trains, and mobile Transporter erector launchers. These are by far the most common form of ballistic missile. Land based missiles can carry conventional explosive, nuclear, chemical, and biological warheads with non nuclear warheads being coming in the form of singular warheads or cluster munitions. All IRBMs, with the exception of the DF-26, and ICBMs have carried only nuclear warheads. Also only IRBM and ICBM range missiles have been developed to carry multiple nuclear warheads either as Multiple rentry vehicles (MRVs) or Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). Shorter range missile however are capable of being armed with a single nuclear Maneuverable reentry vehicle. Only one MRBM underdevelopment by Iran, the Khorramshahr, is claimed to be potentially capable of carrying multiple conventional warheads similar to MRVs and MIRVs, although this could actually mean it caries cluster munitions. MRBMs theoretically could carry multiple nuclear warheads such as on a more modern version of the PGM-19 Jupiter missile developed by the US, however the warheads would have to be smaller in size than current US strategic nuclear warheads deployed on operational ICBMs to fit inside. The World's first ballistic missile of any kind was land based and mobile, the V-2 rocket, which designed and utilized by Nazi Germany from 1944-1945. Many nations around the World currently or have previously operated land based ballistic missiles, but only the World's nuclear weapons states currently operate ones equipped with nuclear warheads.

Sea Based Missiles
These are ballistic missiles launched from a sea based platform typically via a Ballistic missile submarine, called a Submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and less commonly from ships. All SLBMs have carried only nuclear warheads, although ship launched ballistic missiles had or were planned to have conventional warhead capabilities. Like land based missiles, only IRBMs and ICBMs have been developed to carry multiple nuclear warheads either as MRVs or MIRVs. The origin of submarine launched ballistic missiles as well as ballistic missile submarines date back to the 1940s when plans were developed in Nazi Germany to make the a sea based version of the V-2 rocket to be launched via a Rocket U-boat, the project was never completed although one prototype U-boat was built. The first operation SLBM was developed by the Soviet Union and entered operation in 1959. Today the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, and India operate SLBMs. North Korea is currently attempting to develop one.

Air Based Missiles
These are ballistic Missiles, called Air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBMs) that are launched via military aircraft such as Strategic bombers, Fighter bombers, Multirole combat aircraft, Strike Fighters, and Interceptor aircraft. They are the least common form of ballistic missile and have only been deployed operationally since the 1980s despite attempts at development since the 1950s. Currently only Russia operates ALBMs while China is currently developing them. The United States and the United Kingdom attempted to develop such a missile but the joint project was cancelled. With one exception; all planned, current, and cancelled ALBMs have been designed to be nuclear capable but only can carry one warhead. However missiles developed by the Soviet Union/Russia and ones planned by China can carry conventional warheads. Note planned Chinese missiles are not listed here as there is little info about them besides two are being developed. Both are can carry conventional warheads and one is nuclear capable.