EXO-ATMOSPHERIC MISSILES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, Israel announced that its air-defense system, utilizing exo-atmospheric interceptors, successfully neutralized '99% of missiles' launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Exo-Atmospheric Missiles

• About: It also known as anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs), play a crucial role in defense systems worldwide.
• Surface-to-Air Design: These missiles are specifically engineered as surface-to-air weapons tailored to intercept incoming ballistic missiles.
• Primary function: To intercept and destroy ballistic threats during either the mid-course or terminal phase of their trajectory.
• Target Specificity: While capable of countering various types of ballistic missiles, they are particularly designed to combat intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
• Operation Beyond Earth's Atmosphere: Exo-atmospheric interceptors operate beyond the Earth's atmosphere, where they engage incoming threats.
• Advanced Sensor Technology: Equipped with infrared sensors and radar systems, these missiles can detect and track ballistic threats efficiently.
• Hypersonic Speed and Guidance: Traveling at hypersonic speeds, they utilize sophisticated guidance systems to accurately maneuver and intercept high-speed targets.
• Solid Rocket Boosters: These missiles employ a three-stage solid rocket booster to propel themselves out of Earth's atmosphere at near-hypersonic velocities.
• Sophisticated Target Tracking: Upon reaching space, ABMs activate their sensors to identify and track incoming threats, employing inbuilt rocket motors for precise navigation towards their targets.