MEDIUM RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE

Seminar ID: 1121

A Technical Seminar Report Submitted in partial fulfilment of The requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Technology Under BijuPatnaik University of Technology By

K Prasant Kumar

Roll # CSE 200911067

April - 2012

Under the guidance of

Mr. Agyan Kumar Prusty

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE &TECHNOLOGY Palur Hills, Berhampur, Orissa 761008, India

ABSTRACT
MRBM is an exciting new technology with enormous potential for the security community. It is resource which is intended to be attacked and compromised to gain more information about the attacker and his attack techniques.

They are a highly flexible tool that comes in many shapes and sizes. This report deals with understanding what a MRBM actually is ,and how it works. There are different varieties of MRBM. Based on their category they have different applications. This report gives an insight into the use of MRBM in productive as well as educative environments. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of MRBM , and what the future hold in store for them.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is our proud privilege to epitomize our deepest sense of gratitude and indebtedness to our guide, Mr. Agyan Kumar Prusty for his valuable guidance, keen and sustained interest, intuitive ideas and persistent endeavour. His inspiring assistance, laconic reciprocation and affectionate care enabled me to complete my work smoothly and successfully. I am also thankful to My Parents, for giving his valuable time and support during the preparation of this report. I acknowledge with immense pleasure the sustained interest, encouraging attitude and constant inspiration rendered by Prof. Sangram Mudali, Director, N.I.S.T. His continued drive for better quality in everything that happens at N.I.S.T. and selfless inspiration has always helped us to move ahead. Last but not the least I cannot forget the co-operation my friends in this endeavor.

K Prasant Kumar

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TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.................................................................................................ii LIST OF FIGURES...........................................................................................................iv 1. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................5 3. What is a Ballistic Missile..............................................................................................5 3. TYPES OF MISSILE.....................................................................................................6 3. FUEL TECHNOLOGY.................................................................................................9 3.FLIGHT PHASES OF MRBM.....................................................................................10 3.ACCURACY.................................................................................................................12 4.How MRBMs are tracked............................................................................................14 6.List of ICBMs by Country...........................................................................................19 Soviet Union / Russia...........................................................................................19 United States..........................................................................................................19 India........................................................................................................................19 People's Republic of China...................................................................................20 5.Modern MRBMs..........................................................................................................21 Land-based MRBMs...............................................................................................24 8. CONCLUSION............................................................................................................25 REFERENCES.................................................................................................................26

iii

LIST OF FIGURES

iv

MRBM

1. INTRODUCTION
What's the difference between a missile and a rocket?
Missiles and rockets are the same. It's their usage that varies. A ballistic missile is a rocket that flies to a high altitude by firing its engines until all fuel is expended and then lets gravity drop its warhead payload onto a preplanned target. It is a ground-to-ground weapon. A similar rocket, if powerful enough, can be used to blast a satellite up to such a high altitude above the atmosphere that it will be in orbit around Earth. The satellite payload will stay up there for a period of time and then fall back down into the atmosphere and burn up. The PGM-19 Jupiter was the first medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) of the United States Air Force (USAF). It was a liquid-fueled rocket using RP1 fuel and LOX oxidizer, with a single Rocketdyne LR70-NA (model S-3D) rocket engine producing 667 kN of thrust. The prime contractor was the Chrysler Corporation.The MRBM PGM-19 Jupiter initially was intended to be guided by radio, but Later the Department of Defense assigned all landbased long-range missiles to the USAF, with the Army retaining control of battlefield missiles with a range of 200 miles (320 km) or less. The Jupiter MRBM program was transferred to the Air Force, which had developed the PGM-17 Thor MRBM independently. In india the Medium range ballistic missiles developed by DRDO .The initial Technology demonstrator version had a range of 1500 km but were based on a solid and a liquid stage making for long preparation before firing .Learning from these production variants of are solid fuel based to allow for swift retaliation against adversaries Variants make use of either liquid or both liquid and solid fuels .Developed as a battlefield missile, it could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical nuclear weapon

3. What is a Ballistic Missile

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MRBM

A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flight path with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the laws of orbital mechanics and ballistics. To date, ballistic missiles have been propelled during powered flight by chemical rocket engines of various types. A ballistic missile trajectory consists of three parts: the powered flight portion, the free-flight portion which constitutes most of the flight time, and the re-entry phase where the missile re-enters the Earth's atmosphere. Ballistic missiles can be launched from fixed sites or mobile launchers, including vehicles (transporter erector launchers, TELs), aircraft, ships and submarines. The powered flight portion can last from a few tens of seconds to several minutes and can consist of multiple rocket stages. When in space and no more thrust is provided, the missile enters free-flight. In order to cover large distances, ballistic missiles are usually launched into a high sub-orbital spaceflight; for intercontinental missiles the highest altitude (apogee) reached during free-flight is about 1200 km.The re-entry stage begins at an altitude where atmospheric drag plays a significant part in missile trajectory, and lasts until missile impact. The rocket-nozzle control system allows the missile to change its trajectory several times during re-entry and even terminal phase, effectively preventing pre-calculated intercept points of radar systems - which is a method nearly all ABM systems use these days. As a high-speed ballistic missile and premission fueling capability, the accuracy of the missile is largely speculative and cannot be confidently predicted for wartime situations being used for precision attacks against high value targets such as command, control and communications centres.

3. TYPES OF MISSILE
Rockets used as military missiles are categorized by their ranges. Here are the types
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MRBM

BSRBM is a battlefield short range missile capable of a very short flight of less than 100 miles. SRBM is a short range ballistic missile that travels from 100-500 miles. An example is the Russian SCUD missile, which has been exported to more countries than any other type of guided ballistic missile. Iraq fired 93 SCUDs during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. North Korea produced a version of the SCUD it called Hwasong. MRBM is a medium range ballistic missile that travels from 5001500 miles. Iran's Shahab-3 missile has a range of 800 miles, which makes it an MRBM. It was derived from North Korea's No-dong missile as was Pakistan's Ghauri missile.

IRBM is an intermediate range ballistic missile that can hit a target 1,500-3,400 miles away. IRBMs frequently have been turned into launchers for small satellites. This is accomplished by adding upper stages to the rocket so it is more powerful. For example, during the early days of space launches in in the United States, the Thor, Redstone and Jupiter missiles were turned into space rockets. A modified Jupiter known as Jupiter-C launched America's first satellite, Explorer 1. Other examples of IRBMs turned into space launchers include Israel's Shavit and North Korea's Taep'o-dong.

MRBM is an intercontinental ballistic missile that can strike a target 3,400 to 9,200 miles away. That makes it a global weapon. An MRBM has two or more rocket stages and flies up as high as 700 miles before dropping its warhead payload on a target. The United States, Russia, and China have operational MRBM warfare systems. Other nations, including India, Pakistan, Iran, Israel and North Korea, may have MRBMs, but not organized systems. Some examples of American MRBMs include Atlas, Titan, Minuteman and Peacekeeper. Recently, American Titan and Minuteman MRBMs, and Russian SS-9 Cyclone MRBMs, have been converted into space rockets.

MRBM

SLBM is a submarine launched ballistic missile that can deliver a nuclear weapon payload. An example of an SLBM is the United States' Trident intercontinental ballistic missile, which is armed with nuclear warheads and launched from submarines. Russia's Shitl space rocket was derived from the SS-N-23 SLBM.

Type

Range

Examples

MRBM 700 1,200 km

Agni-I, CSS-5,No-dong

IRBM 2,000 2,500 km

Agni-II, CSS-2

IRBM 3,000 5,000 km

Agni-III,

IRBM 3,200 3,700 km

Agni-IV

MRBM 5,000-6,000 km (under development). Agni-V, SS-5

MRBM

6,000-10,000 km (speculated to be under development)

Agni-VI ,NKSL-X-2

MRBM

3. FUEL TECHNOLOGY
SOLID FUEL TECHNOLOGY AND LIQUID FUEL TECHNOLOGY: The single-stage , liquid-fueled, road mobile, nuclear-capable ballistic missile. It could carry a 1,000 kg payload 1,300 km. while and the ability to carry a nuclear warhead. The liquid-fueled rocket with a diameter of about 1.25 meters, which is sufficient to accommodate a nuclear warhead can exploit low-thrust rocket motors to build a two-stage rocket, and qualified engineers who are able to make good use of the technology that is available to them.serve as a testbed for long-range ballistic missile technologies.The Safir could be modified with a different upper rocket stage so that it could carry a warhead weighing roughly 1,000 kg to a range of about 2,000 km. a single-stage, liquidfueled, submarine-launched ballistic missile with a range of 2,400 to 3,000 km

Fig 1.1 First stage nozzle. The solid fuel propellant weighs ~4,200 kg . Its case is presumably made of the same material, high-strength 15CDV6 steel, as the booster stage for ease of manufacturing. This solid propellant stage has flex nozzles for thrust vectoring, for precise trajectory control. The solid fuel second stage does not require retro motors for proper stage separation. The solid fuels consist of AP-Al-PBAN HTPB (hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene),carbon and silicaphenolic lining is used in the fore end and aft end of the divergent. The propellant used in Agni-I consists of HTPB (hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) solid propellant.

MRBM

First Stage: The booster motor is one meter in diameter and ten meters in length. It has approximately 9 tons solid propellant. The stage features three segments of propellant grain, with an internal star configuration for increased thrust during the initial boost phase. The motor case is made of a highstrength 15CDV6 steel and is fabricated by conventional rolling and welding techniques. The propellant used in MRBM consists of the AP-AlPBAN composite propellant. All later Agni variants use HTPB (hydroxylterminated polybutadiene). The propellant is of star configuration with a loading density of 78%. It is case bonded with a liner system between propellant and insulation. The motor's nozzle is built from 15CDV6 steel; a carbon-phenolic thermal protection system is used for the convergent throat, high-density graphite is used for the throat, and carbon and silica-phenolic lining is used in the fore end and aft end of the divergent. Second Stage: which has two small engines. fuel of TG-02/AK-20 (Xylidiene + Triethylamine/IRFNA+ NTO),It has 1.1 meter long vented interstage is lightweight and ensures better vehicle control and reliable second stage separation. The second stage mass is about 12 tonnes and length of 3.9 meters (including 0.8 m payload adapter). The stage currently employs maraging steel case that could be later upgraded to composites to maximize fuel mass fraction that is critical to realize long range, especially with lighter payload. The second stag also employs flex nozzles to provide necessary inflight trajectory control.. The case material of the second stage is aluminium alloy. The high energy solid fuel of the stage burns slowly for about 105 seconds using high expansion ratio nozzle making it a very efficient engine.

FIG 1.2 The second stage of missile with 3.57 tons of propellant.

3.FLIGHT PHASES OF MRBM

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The flight of a ballistic missile can be divided into three phases: boost phase, cruise phase, and descent (terminal) phase. Boost phase begins with the ignition of the missile's booster rocket. The booster lofts the missile at a steep angle, imparting a high speed to the payload before burning out. The payload and booster then separate, beginning the cruise phase. The spent booster falls back to Earth while the payload, starting to lose speed, continues to gain altitude. If the missile is sufficiently long-range, its payload rises above the Earth's atmosphere during cruise phase, where it jettisons its aerodynamic protective shroud and arcs under the influence of gravity. The payload may be a single cone-shaped warhead or a flat "bus" with several warheads attached to it like upside-down icecream cones arranged circularly on a plate.

Boot phase :The booster rockets of early ballistic missiles were

powered by liquid fuels. A liquid-fuel rocket carries fuel (hydrazine, liquid hydrogen, or other) and liquid oxygen in tanks. Pressurized streams of fuel and oxygen are mixed and ignited at the top of a bellshaped chamber: hot, expanding gases rush out of the open end of the bell, imparting momentum to the rocket in the opposite direction. Liquid fuels are unwieldy, as they must be maintained at low temperatures and may leak fuel or oxygen from tanks, pipes, valves, or pumps. (shorter for a solid rocket than for a liquid-propellant rocket); altitude at the end of this phase is typically 150 to 400 km depending on the trajectory chosen, typical burnout speed is 7 km/s.

Cruise phase: approx. 25 minutessub-orbital spaceflight in an elliptic

flightpath; the flight path is part of an ellipse with a vertical major axis; the apogee (halfway through the midcourse phase) is at an altitude of approximately 1,200 km; the semi-major axis is between 3,186 km and 6,372 km; the projection of the flightpath on the Earth's surface is close to a great circle, slightly displaced due to earth rotation during the time of flight; the missile may release several independent warheads, and penetration aids such as metallic-coated balloons, aluminum chaff, and full-scale warhead decoys.

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MRBM

Descent (terminal) phase: (starting at an altitude of 100 km) 2 minutesimpact is at a speed of up to 4 km/s (for early MRBMs less than 1 km/s)

Figure 1.3

3.ACCURACY
The MRBM navigation and aiming uses an advanced ground based beacon system using a TDOA (Time Delay Of Arrival) technique, similar to a GPS
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MRBM

system, that constantly provides missile flight position and velocity updates and has been proven in test flights. The TDOA system reportedly improved the accuracy by three times. By using navigation sensors and flight control through its space program. The placement accuracy in GTO (involving powered flight of 1,000 seconds much of it in sub-G or gravity free environment) is far more complicated and delicate than that of the sub-orbital trajectory of an IRBM. Thus the GSLV-D2 and F01 GTO Apogee accuracy of 1965 PPM and 361 PPM respectively that compares with Agni-II's 40 meter CEP at IRBM ranges with 13 PPM accuracy. It is worthwhile to note that INS error differs for a ballistic missile versus an aircraft. Ballistic missile accuracy is only dependent on the INS accuracy up to the point when rocket fuel is expended and it exits the atmosphere (> 90 km altitude), after that the trajectory is purely ballistic that is predetermined and easily computed. INS in a combat aircraft requires continuous operation of IMU and navigation computer throughout the flight during which the error keeps building as IMU sensors drift. A ballistic missile that can update its position and velocity from auxiliary means, can completely eliminate the built up error from INS and continue flight at a precise predetermined path, if necessary correcting the launch error by using: 1. Small velocity correction thruster package and/or 2. Aerodynamic manoeuvring during re-entry (this requires active RV configuration with integrated INS and control system). The Agni-II missile reportedly makes use of both the above techniques. The Agni-II exits atmosphere and expends the second stage at an altitude of 120 km and at a distance of about 150 km. This allows the ground based TDOA system to operate well within Indian Territory and at close range (i.e. robustness against Electronic Warfare interference). The missile maintains LOS (line of sight) well beyond apogee. The overall accuracy is the cumulated sum of: 1. Accuracy of determining geographic coordinate of target and launcher.
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2. Accuracy of hitting the designated coordinates that is determined by missile's navigation and control system. Launching the Agni from a surveyed site is one aspect of item 1 above. The sub-meter target coordinates, using national surveillance assets, (aerospace, sensors, etc.) would largely address the accuracy of target coordinate designation. A long-range ballistic missile (passive RV) targeting error is typically spread in a highly elliptic pattern. The CEP is thus adversely biased by a wide error spread in a longitudinal axis (due to shallow incidence angle). The Agni's active manoeuvring RV with onboard IMU (INS) and control system can perform terminal manoeuvre to correct errors and make a more accurate top attack profile using greater incidence angle significantly reducing the longitudinal spread and overall CEP.

4.How MRBMs are tracked

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MRBM

The National Missile Defence (NFD) has setup five parts to the working of this missile launch and target delivery system.They are being classified as:

Upgraded Early-warning Radar (UEWR) X-band/Ground-based Radar(XBR) Space-based Infrared System(SBIRS) Battle Management, Command, Control and
Communications (BMC3)

Ground-based Interceptors (GBIs)

The first part of NMD will involve detecting the launch of enemy missiles and tracking them. Data gathered by a system of radar and satellites will be sent back to personnel at the BMC3, who then will take appropriate action. Let's take a look at the three components that make up the detection and tracking system of NMD.

Upgraded Early-warning Radar (UEWR) : This is a phased-array surveillance radar that can detect and track ballistic missiles. NMD will use upgraded versions of existing, ultra-high frequency early-warning radar. Hardware modifications, including the replacement of existing computers, graphic displays, communications equipment and the radar receiver/exciter, will also be made to the EWR. UEWRs will be used to detect and track missiles and other projectiles during their midcourse phase, before cueing the more precise X-Band Radar.

X-band/Ground-based Radar (XBR) :

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MRBM

This consists of a multi-function phased array radar that uses high frequency and advanced radar-signal processing technology. The XBR will track missiles as they fly closer to the United States and assess which missiles are decoys and which are armed with warheads. It is equipped with high-resolution radar that allows it to accurately discriminate between closely spaced objects. XBR radar has a 50-degree field of view and can rotate 360 degrees to track targets. It will transmit a radiation pattern in a narrow beam made up of electromagnetic pulses. The radar site consists of the X-band radar mounted on a pedestal, a control and maintenance facility, a power generation facility and a 492-foot (150-m) protected area. The XBR site will cover 17.46 acres.

Figure 1.3 Space-based Infrared System (SBIRS) :

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Under development by the Air Force, the SBIRS satellites are on a 10-year development plan and are expected to be added to the system three to four years after NMD becomes operational. These satellites will replace the current Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites. There are three kinds of SBIRS satellites, including four geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites, twohighly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites and an unspecified number of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Eventually, there will be a 24-satellite constellation that will start tracking enemy missiles earlier than radar, allowing for quicker response.

Figure 1.5

Technical Specifications of Indian MRBM

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Weight

12,000 kg (Agni-I) 16,000 kg (Agni-II) 48,000 kg (Agni-III) 49,000 kg (Agni-V)

Length

15 m (Agni-I) 21 m (Agni-II) 17 m (Agni-III) 17.5 m (Agni-V)

Diameter

1.0 m (Agni-I, Agni-II) 2.0 m (Agni-III)

Warhead

Strategic nuclear (15 KT to 250 KT), conventional HE-unitary, penetration, sub-munitions, incendiary, or fuel air explosives

Engine

Single stage (Agni-I) Two-and-half-stage (Agni-II) Two stage (Agni-III) solid propellant engine

Operational range

700-1,200 km (Agni-I) 2,000-3,500 km (Agni-II) 3,500-5,000 km (Agni-III) Over 5,500 km (Agni-V)

Flight altitude

300 km (Agni-I) 230 km (Agni-II) 350 km (Agni-III)

Speed

2.5 km/s (Agni-I) 3.5 km/s (Agni-II)

Guidance system

Ring laser gyro-INS (inertial navigation systemm), optionally augmented by GPS terminal guidancewith possible radar scene correlation

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6.List of ICBMs by Country

Soviet Union /

Russia
Active

Specific types of Soviet ICBMs include:

R-36 SS-9 Scarp R-36M2 Voevoda / SS-18 Satan UR-100N 15A30 / SS-19 Stiletto RT-2PM Topol / 15Zh58 / SS-25 Sickle RT-2UTTKh Topol M / SS-27 / RS12M1 / RS12M2 / RT2PM2 RS-24: MIRV-equipped.

United States
Active

Minuteman III (LGM-30G): launched from siloas of May 2009, there are 450 Minuteman III missiles in active inventory Trident (UGM-93A/B) SLBM: Trident II (D5) was first deployed in 1990 and is planned to be deployed past 2020 (11,300 kilometres (7,000 mi) range).

India
Although, India is believed to have capped the Integrated Guided missile development programme at a maximum range of 5,500 km, there are reports claiming that DRDO is covertly working to develop multiple longer range ICBMs to boost its nuclear deterrence against more distant countries. India's former Air Chief Marshal P.V. NAIK contended, India needs the capability to match its sphere of influence as the country's sphere of influence grows. Agni-V (5,0006,000 km) Agni-VI (6,000-10,000 km) [Speculated; final decision about the range is yet to be taken]
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MRBM Surya (10,000-16,000 km) [Speculated][5]

People's Republic of China

DF (Dong Feng or East Wind) are land-based. JL (Ju Lang or Giant Wave) are submarinelaunched. DF-4 (CSS-3): 1975, silo-based, 5,500 km DF-4 improved (CSS-3): 1975, silo-based, 7,000 km DF-5 (CSS-4): 1981, silo based, 13,000 km DF-5A (CSS-4): 1983, road-mobile, 15,000 km

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5.Modern MRBMs

Modern MRBMs typically carry multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs), each of which carries a separate nuclear warhead, allowing a single missile to hit multiple targets. MIRV was an outgrowth of the rapidly shrinking size and weight of modern warheads and the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties which imposed limitations on the number of launch vehicles (SALT I and SALT II). It has also proved to be an "easy answer" to proposed deployments of ABM systemsit is far less expensive to add more warheads to an existing missile system than to build an ABM system capable of shooting down the additional warheads; hence, most ABM system proposals have been judged to be impractical.

first

operational

ABM

systems

were

deployed

in

the

U.S.

during

1970s. Safeguard ABM facility was located in North Dakota and was operational from 19751976. The USSR deployed itsGalosh ABM system around Moscow in the 1970s, which remains in service. Israel deployed a national ABM system based on the Arrow missile in 1998,[13] but it is mainly designed to intercept shorter-ranged theater ballistic missiles, not MRBMs. The U.S. Alaska-based National missile defence system attained initial operational capability in 2004.

first

operational

ABM

systems

were

deployed

in

the

U.S.

during

1970s. Safeguard ABM facility was located in North Dakota and was operational from 19751976. The USSR deployed itsGalosh ABM system around Moscow in the 1970s, which remains in service.

Israel deployed a national ABM system based on the Arrow missile in 1998, but it is mainly designed to intercept shorter-ranged theater ballistic missiles, not MRBMs.

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MRBM

Figure 1.6 The U.S. Alaska-based National missile defence system attained initial operational capability in 2004. MRBMs can be deployed from TELs such as the RussianTopol. MRBMs can be deployed from multiple platforms:

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MRBM

in missile silos, which offer some protection from military attack

(including, the designers hope, some protection from a nuclearfirst strike)

on submarines: submarine-launched
IRBMs)

ballistic

missiles (SLBMs);

most or all SLBMs have the long range of MRBMs (as opposed to

on heavy trucks; this applies to one version of the RT-2UTTH Topol

M which may be deployed from a self-propelled mobile launcher, capable of moving through roadless terrain, and launching a missile from any point along its route

mobile launchers on rails; this applies, for example, to -23

"" (RT-23UTTH "Molodets"SS-24 "Sll") The last three kinds are mobile and therefore hard to find. During storage, one of the most important features of the missile is its serviceability. One of the key features of the first computer-controlled MRBM, the Minuteman missile, was that it could quickly and easily use its computer to test itself. In flight, a booster pushes the warhead and then falls away. Most modern boosters are solid-fueled rocket motors, which can be stored easily for long periods of time. Early missiles used liquid-fueled rocket motors. Many liquidfueled MRBMs could not be kept fuelled all the time as the cryogenic liquid oxygen boiled off and caused ice formation, and therefore fueling the rocket was necessary before launch. This procedure was a source of significant operational delay, and might allow the missiles to be destroyed by enemy counterparts before they could be used. To resolve this problem the British invented the missile silo that protected the missile from a first strike and also hid fuelling operations underground. Once the booster falls away, the warhead continues on an unpowered ballistic trajectory, much like an artillery shell or cannon ball. The warhead is encased in a cone-shaped reentryvehicle and is difficult to detect in this phase of flight as there is no rocket exhaust or other emissions to mark its position to
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defenders. The high speeds of the warheads make them difficult to intercept and allow for little warning striking targets many thousands of kilometers away from the launch site (and due to the possible locations of the submarines: anywhere in the world) within approximately 30 minutes.

Land-based MRBMs
Only Russia, the United States and China are currently known to possess land-based MRBMs. The United States currently operates 450 MRBMs in three USAF bases. The only model deployed is LGM-30G Minuteman-III. All previous USAF Minuteman II missiles have been destroyed in accordance with START, and their launch silos have been sealed or sold to the public. To comply with the START II most U.S. multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, or MIRVs, have been eliminated and replaced with single warhead missiles. The powerful MIRV-capable Peacekeeper missiles were phased out in 2005.

Recent Updation in MRBMs

However, since the abandonment of the START II treaty, the U.S. is said to be considering retaining 800 warheads on an existing 450 missilesChina has developed several long range MRBMs. India has recently inducted the Agni 3 which has a range of 5000km. It is said that Agni 3 can go as much as 6000km with decreased payloads. Israel is suspected of deploying the nuclear armed Jericho 3 MRBM.

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8. CONCLUSION
This report has given an in depth knowledge about MRBMs and their contributions to the nations security, its working principle and basic ideas about a ballistic missile. Moreover an MRBM is a weapon used for mass destruction during wars . However its usage and operation depends upon the nation how it handles during wartime . MRBMs are in their infancy and new ideas and technologies will surface in the upcoming years leading to better technologies and range of the target like Indias Agni II and Agni III which is stepping its foot for a better operation in future. At the same time as MRBMs are getting more advanced, it should be handled with utter care and it shouldnt be misused lest will create a havoc. Finally lets hope that such a advancement in technology will be used to restore the peace and prosperity of the world and not to give the world a devastating end.

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REFERENCES
[1] Lance Spitzner, M R B M Tracking Hackers, 2003, Pearson Education, Inc [2] Reto Baumann and Christian Plattner, White Paper: M R B M, 26 February 2002 URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercontinental_ballistic_missile#Flight_phases [3] Lance Spitzner, M R B M Definition and Value of M R B M, 17 May, 2002, URL:http://www.enteract.com/~lspitz/M R B M.html [4] Kurt Seifried, M R B Mting with VMWARE basics, 15 February 2002, URL:http://www.seifried.org/security/ids/20020107-M R B M-vmware-basics.html [5] Honeynet Project, Know Your Enemy: Defining Virtual Honeynets, Different types of Virtual Honeynets, 18 August 2002, URL: http://www.honeynet.org/papers/virtual/ [6] Michael Clark, Honeynets, 7 November 2001, URL:http://online.securityfocus.com/infocus/1506/

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