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?

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YESPYQ · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: Neither 1 nor 2. Statement 1 is not correct: Ballistic missiles are rocket-powered only during the initial (boost) phase of flight, following an arcing trajectory to the target after that. Ballistic missiles travel well outside earth’s atmosphere. In contrast, cruise missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their journeys. Cruise missile flies within the earth’s atmosphere and uses jet engine technology. UPSC GS Paper-I PYQs 564 Statement 2 is not correct: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India developed the land- based intercontinental ballistic missile known as Agni-V. The BrahMos is a medium-range Ramjet Supersonic Cruise Missile that may be fired from a submarine, ship, aircraft, or land. The BrahMos is undoubtedly the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile. SUPER HINT Content in both statements are interchanged. The term ballistic itself implies launch-arc-fall motion like a can- non shell — this requires rocket power at least initially, not a jet engine. While , Cruise = implies long “drive-like” flight. Cruise ships

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