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{{ | {{Short description|Ballistic missile with a range of 3,000–5,500 km}} | ||
[[ | {{Distinguish|Medium-range ballistic missile}} | ||
{{Refimprove|date=June 2022}} | |||
[[File:Agni-IV 2014 (cropped).jpg|thumb|300x300px|Agni-IV missile being launched from [[Abdul Kalam Island]], [[Odisha]], [[India]].]] | |||
An '''intermediate-range ballistic missile''' ('''IRBM''') is a [[ballistic missile]] with a [[range (aeronautics)|range]] between {{no wrap|3,000 to 5,500 km}} ({{no wrap|1,864 to 3,418 miles}}), categorized between a [[medium-range ballistic missile]] (MRBM) and an [[intercontinental ballistic missile]] (ICBM).<ref>{{cite book|title=A Dictionary of Aviation |first=David W. |last=Wragg |isbn=0-85045-163-9 |publisher=Frederick Fell, Inc. |publication-place=New York |date=1974 |edition=1st American |page=166}}</ref> Classifying ballistic missiles by range is done mostly for convenience. In principle there is little difference between a high-performance IRBM and a low-performance ICBM, because decreasing payload mass can increase the range over the ICBM threshold. The range definition used here is used within the U.S. [[Missile Defense Agency]]. | |||
==History== | |||
The progenitor for the IRBM was the [[Aggregate (rocket family)#A4b/A9|A4b rocket]], winged for increased range and based on the famous [[V-2 rocket|V-2]], Vergeltung, or "Reprisal", officially called [[Aggregate series|A4]], rocket designed by [[Wernher von Braun]]. The V-2 was widely used by [[Nazi Germany]] at the end of World War II to bomb English and Belgian cities. The A4b was the prototype for the upper stage of the [[Aggregate (rocket family)#A9|A9/A10]] rocket. The goal of the program was to build a missile capable of hitting New York, when launched from France or Spain (see [[Amerika Bomber#Winged rockets|Amerika Bomber]]).<ref name="v2werk-oberraderach"/> | |||
A4b rockets were tested a few times in December 1944 and January and February 1945.<ref name="v2werk-oberraderach">{{cite web |url=http://www.v2werk-oberraderach.de/Irrtuemer/5-I.htm |title=Die geflügelte Rakete (A7, A9, A4b) (in German) |publisher=V2werk-oberraderach.de |access-date=2011-07-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719111841/http://www.v2werk-oberraderach.de/Irrtuemer/5-I.htm |archive-date=2011-07-19 }}</ref> All of these rockets used [[liquid propellant]]. The A4b used an [[inertial guidance system]], while the A9 would have been controlled by a pilot. They started from a non-mobile [[launch pad]]. | |||
Following World War II von Braun and other lead [[Nazi]] | Following World War II, von Braun and other lead [[Nazi scientists]] were secretly transferred to the United States, to work directly for the U.S. Army through [[Operation Paperclip]], developing the V-2 into the weapon for the United States.{{cn|date=June 2022}} | ||
IRBMs are currently operated by the People's Republic of China, India,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Indian-Army-Successfully-Test-Fires-Nuke-Capable-Agni-IV-Missile/2015/11/09/article3121243.ece|title=Indian Army Successfully Test Fires Nuke-Capable Agni-IV Missile|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2016-03-25|url-status= | IRBMs are currently{{when?|date=June 2022}} operated by the People's Republic of China, India,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Indian-Army-Successfully-Test-Fires-Nuke-Capable-Agni-IV-Missile/2015/11/09/article3121243.ece|title=Indian Army Successfully Test Fires Nuke-Capable Agni-IV Missile|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2016-03-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405175541/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Indian-Army-Successfully-Test-Fires-Nuke-Capable-Agni-IV-Missile/2015/11/09/article3121243.ece|archive-date=2016-04-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ballistic-missile-Agni-IV-test-fired-as-part-of-user-trial/articleshow/49720522.cms|title=Ballistic missile Agni-IV test-fired as part of user trial |website=The Times of India|date=9 November 2015 |access-date=2016-03-25|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121044007/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ballistic-missile-Agni-IV-test-fired-as-part-of-user-trial/articleshow/49720522.cms|archive-date=2016-01-21}}</ref> Israel, North Korea,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncnk.org/resources/publications/Missile_Issue_Brief.pdf|title=North Korea's Ballistic Missile Program|website=National Committee on North Korea|access-date=2016-04-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222051359/http://www.ncnk.org/resources/publications/Missile_Issue_Brief.pdf|archive-date=2016-02-22}}</ref> and Russia.<ref name=bbcrussiairbm>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine war latest: Putin says Russia hit Ukraine with new intermediate-range ballistic missile |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c20726y20kvt?post=asset:47fd8644-8538-475d-a3cc-6f5714f0d191#post |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Putin says Russia struck Ukraine’s Dnipro with new experimental ballistic missile |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2024/11/21/putin-says-russia-struck-ukraine-s-dnipro-with-new-experimental-ballistic-missile |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Meduza |language=en}}</ref> The United States, USSR, Pakistan, United Kingdom, and France are former operators.{{cn|date=June 2022}} | ||
==Nomenclature== | ==Nomenclature== | ||
There is no clearly agreed-upon distinction between an intermediate-range and a medium range ([[Medium-range ballistic missile|MRBM]]) missile, and the categories overlap. Different sources | There is no clearly agreed-upon distinction between an intermediate-range and a medium range ([[Medium-range ballistic missile|MRBM]]) missile, and the categories overlap. Different sources classify missiles in different ways. They are both distinct from ICBMs, in that they have a range that is less than intercontinental, and hence must be based relatively close to the target. An IRBM, in general, is intended as a strategic weapon, while a MRBM, in general, is intended as a [[theatre ballistic missile]].{{cn|date=June 2022}} | ||
==Specific IRBMs== | ==Specific IRBMs== | ||
| Line 28: | Line 29: | ||
! Range km | ! Range km | ||
! Maximum km | ! Maximum km | ||
! class=" | ! class="wikitable sortable" | Country | ||
|- | |||
| 1959 || [[PGM-17 Thor]] || 2,400 || 3,000|| {{flagu|United States}}, {{flagu|United Kingdom}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 2023 || [[Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon]] || 2,775 || 3,500<ref>{{cite web | title=New Dark Eagle Hypersonic Weapon Details Emerge | url=https://www.twz.com/land/new-dark-eagle-hypersonic-weapon-details-emerge }}</ref> || {{flagu|United States}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Cancelled || [[Blue Streak (missile)|Blue Streak]] || 3,700 || || {{flagu|United Kingdom}} | | Cancelled || [[Blue Streak (missile)|Blue Streak]] || 3,700 || || {{flagu|United Kingdom}} | ||
| Line 40: | Line 43: | ||
| 1976 || [[RSD-10 Pioneer]] (SS-20) || 5,500 || || {{flagu|Soviet Union}} | | 1976 || [[RSD-10 Pioneer]] (SS-20) || 5,500 || || {{flagu|Soviet Union}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1980 || [[S3 | | 1980 || [[S3 (missile)]] || 3,500 || || {{flagu|France}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2004 || [[DF-25]] || 3,200 || 4,000 || {{flagu|China}} | | 2004 || [[DF-25]] || 3,200 || 4,000 || {{flagu|China}} | ||
|- | |||
|- | |||
| 2006 || [[Agni-III]] || 3,500 || 5,000 || {{flagu|India}} | | 2006 || [[Agni-III]] || 3,500 || 5,000 || {{flagu|India}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2007 || [[DF-26]] || 3,500 || 5,000 || {{flagu|China}} | | 2007 || [[DF-26]] || 3,500 || 5,000 || {{flagu|China}} | ||
|- | |||
| 2007 ||[[Shahab-5]] || 4,000 || 4,300 (not proven) || {{flagu|Iran}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2012<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sejjil {{!}} Missile Threat {{!}} CSIS Missile Defense Project |url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/sejjil/ |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=Missile Threat |language=en-US}}</ref>||[[Sejjil]] || 2,000 || 4,000 (not proven) || {{flagu|Iran}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2010 || [[Hwasong-10]] (Musudan/BM-25) || 2,500 || 4,000 (not proven) || {{flagu|North Korea}}<ref name="mt">{{cite web |url=http://missilethreat.com/missiles/agni-3/?country=india#india |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140422195940/http://missilethreat.com/missiles/agni-3/?country=india%23india |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 22, 2014 |title=Ballistic Missiles of the World |publisher=MissileThreat |access-date=2011-07-15 }}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2010 ||[[K-4 (missile)|K-4]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/india-inches-closer-to-credible-nuclear-triad-with-k-4-slbm-test/|title = India Inches Closer to Credible Nuclear Triad with K-4 SLBM Test}}</ref>|| 3,500 || | | 2010 ||[[K-4 (missile)|K-4]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/india-inches-closer-to-credible-nuclear-triad-with-k-4-slbm-test/|title = India Inches Closer to Credible Nuclear Triad with K-4 SLBM Test}}</ref>|| 3,500 || | ||
|| {{flagu|India}} | || {{flagu|India}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2011 || [[Agni-IV]] || 4,000 || || {{flagu|India}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2017 ||[[Hwasong-12]] (KN-17) || 3,700 || 6,000 || {{flagu|North Korea}} | |||
|- | |||
| 2023 ||[[Hyunmoo]]-5 || 3,000 || 5,500 || {{flagu|South Korea}} | |||
|- | |||
| 2024 ||[[Hwasong-16B]] || 1,100 (ROK telemetry) | |||
1,500 (DPRK claimed) | |||
| 5,500 ||{{flagu|North Korea}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 2024 || [[Oreshnik (missile)|Oreshnik]] || unknown || unknown || {{flagu|Russia}}<ref name=bbcrussiairbm /> | ||
|[[ | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|{{flagu| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2011 || [[RS-26 Rubezh]] || unknown || 5,800 || {{flagu|Russia}} | |||
|} | |} | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[List of ICBMs]] | * [[List of ICBMs]] | ||
* [[Short-range ballistic missile]] (SRBM) | * [[Short-range ballistic missile]] (SRBM) | ||
* [[Submarine-launched ballistic missile]] (SLBM) | * [[Submarine-launched ballistic missile]] (SLBM) | ||
* [[Anti-ship ballistic missile]] (ASBM) | * [[Anti-ship ballistic missile]] (ASBM) | ||
* [[Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]] | * [[Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]] | ||
| Line 93: | Line 92: | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile}} | ||
[[Category:Intermediate-range ballistic missiles|*Intermediate-range]] | [[Category:Intermediate-range ballistic missiles|*Intermediate-range]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Types of missile]] | ||
[[Category:Wernher von Braun]] | [[Category:Wernher von Braun]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:42, 28 March 2026
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2022) |
.jpg)
An intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) is a ballistic missile with a range between 3,000 to 5,500 km (1,864 to 3,418 miles), categorized between a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) and an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).[1] Classifying ballistic missiles by range is done mostly for convenience. In principle there is little difference between a high-performance IRBM and a low-performance ICBM, because decreasing payload mass can increase the range over the ICBM threshold. The range definition used here is used within the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.
History[edit | edit source]
The progenitor for the IRBM was the A4b rocket, winged for increased range and based on the famous V-2, Vergeltung, or "Reprisal", officially called A4, rocket designed by Wernher von Braun. The V-2 was widely used by Nazi Germany at the end of World War II to bomb English and Belgian cities. The A4b was the prototype for the upper stage of the A9/A10 rocket. The goal of the program was to build a missile capable of hitting New York, when launched from France or Spain (see Amerika Bomber).[2]
A4b rockets were tested a few times in December 1944 and January and February 1945.[2] All of these rockets used liquid propellant. The A4b used an inertial guidance system, while the A9 would have been controlled by a pilot. They started from a non-mobile launch pad.
Following World War II, von Braun and other lead Nazi scientists were secretly transferred to the United States, to work directly for the U.S. Army through Operation Paperclip, developing the V-2 into the weapon for the United States.[citation needed]
IRBMs are currently[when?] operated by the People's Republic of China, India,[3][4] Israel, North Korea,[5] and Russia.[6][7] The United States, USSR, Pakistan, United Kingdom, and France are former operators.[citation needed]
Nomenclature[edit | edit source]
There is no clearly agreed-upon distinction between an intermediate-range and a medium range (MRBM) missile, and the categories overlap. Different sources classify missiles in different ways. They are both distinct from ICBMs, in that they have a range that is less than intercontinental, and hence must be based relatively close to the target. An IRBM, in general, is intended as a strategic weapon, while a MRBM, in general, is intended as a theatre ballistic missile.[citation needed]
Specific IRBMs[edit | edit source]
| Date *D | Model | Range km | Maximum km | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | PGM-17 Thor | 2,400 | 3,000 |  United States, File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
|
| 2023 | Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon | 2,775 | 3,500[8] | United States
|
| Cancelled | Blue Streak | 3,700 | File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom | |
| 1962 | R-14 Chusovaya (SS-5) | 3,700 | Template:Country data Soviet Union | |
| 1970 | DF-3A | 4,000 | 5,000 |  China,  Saudi Arabia
|
| 1976 | RSD-10 Pioneer (SS-20) | 5,500 | Template:Country data Soviet Union | |
| 1980 | S3 (missile) | 3,500 |  France
| |
| 2004 | DF-25 | 3,200 | 4,000 | China
|
| 2006 | Agni-III | 3,500 | 5,000 |  India
|
| 2007 | DF-26 | 3,500 | 5,000 | China
|
| 2007 | Shahab-5 | 4,000 | 4,300 (not proven) |  Iran
|
| 2012[9] | Sejjil | 2,000 | 4,000 (not proven) | Iran
|
| 2010 | Hwasong-10 (Musudan/BM-25) | 2,500 | 4,000 (not proven) |  North Korea[10]
|
| 2010 | K-4[11] | 3,500 | India
| |
| 2011 | Agni-IV | 4,000 | India
| |
| 2017 | Hwasong-12 (KN-17) | 3,700 | 6,000 | North Korea
|
| 2023 | Hyunmoo-5 | 3,000 | 5,500 |  South Korea
|
| 2024 | Hwasong-16B | 1,100 (ROK telemetry)
1,500 (DPRK claimed) |
5,500 | North Korea
|
| 2024 | Oreshnik | unknown | unknown |  Russia[6]
|
| 2011 | RS-26 Rubezh | unknown | 5,800 | Russia
|
See also[edit | edit source]
- List of ICBMs
- Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM)
- Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)
- Anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM)
- Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Wragg, David W. (1974). A Dictionary of Aviation (1st American ed.). New York: Frederick Fell, Inc. p. 166. ISBN 0-85045-163-9.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Die geflügelte Rakete (A7, A9, A4b) (in German)". V2werk-oberraderach.de. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
- ↑ "Indian Army Successfully Test Fires Nuke-Capable Agni-IV Missile". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
- ↑ "Ballistic missile Agni-IV test-fired as part of user trial". The Times of India. 9 November 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
- ↑ "North Korea's Ballistic Missile Program" (PDF). National Committee on North Korea. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-22. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Ukraine war latest: Putin says Russia hit Ukraine with new intermediate-range ballistic missile". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ↑ "Putin says Russia struck Ukraine's Dnipro with new experimental ballistic missile". Meduza. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ↑ "New Dark Eagle Hypersonic Weapon Details Emerge".
- ↑ "Sejjil | Missile Threat | CSIS Missile Defense Project". Missile Threat. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ "Ballistic Missiles of the World". MissileThreat. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "India Inches Closer to Credible Nuclear Triad with K-4 SLBM Test".