LAUNCHING, GUIDANCE AND STEERING OF AN INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE

Abstract

The technology of war has reached its culmination in the guided missiles. For thousands of years men have been destroying men and property with projectile weapons of ever-increasing complexity and power; but these have been uncontrollable after release. Now electromagnetic, inertial, and laser techniques permit man to guide his weapons in flight and thus achieve even greater lethality through increased accuracy. Unfortunately, human progress in morality and law has not been sufficient to rule out war as a chief determinant in our way of life; consequently, preservation of the free world depends, in part, upon mastery of guided missile ( as has been proved by the war between Iraq and U.S. allies). An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system forms a major part of a country's defence system. The object of this dissertation is to present a concise study on the basic elements and technical problems faced in launching, guiding and steering, and intercepting an ICBM. This dissertation, as the author feels, will prove quite useful as a reference material to all those who wish to pursue serious studies in missile research. Compared with the vast literature which exist relating the expertise in Electronics Engineering, there are very few works which deal specifically with the various electronic aspects of an ICBM. This dissertation is an attempt to present in one volume the fundamental elements of the various aspects of an ICBM. Emphasis has been placed more on the guidance aspect of ICBM. Chapter I introduces the various terminologies used in context with the missiles. Chapter II presents, concisely, the various problems involved in the launching of missiles. Chapter III investigates, theoretically as well as analytically, the trajectory of an ICBM. Chapter IV describes the inertial guidance and steering system used in an ICBM. Chapter V stresses on the interception of ICBM. Chapter VI draws the conclusions from the observations made by the author during the work carried out for this dissertation.