Consider the following statements: 1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight. 2. 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?

QUESTION

Easy

Science & Technology

Prelims 2023

Consider the following statements:

Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
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?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Ballistic missiles are rocket-powered and follow a high, arcing trajectory, reaching supersonic speeds. In contrast, cruise missiles are jet-propelled, fly at lower altitudes, and can be subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic. The statement incorrectly swaps their propulsion characteristics.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: Agni-V is a solid-fuelled Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia. The statement incorrectly swaps the types of these two missiles.

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