Consider the following statements:Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout

Q: What is UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2023 UPSC Prelims Science & Technology paper.

Q: How can I prepare for UPSC Prelims Science & Technology?

To prepare for UPSC Prelims Science & Technology, practice previous year questions (PYQs), understand concepts thoroughly, and solve mock tests regularly. This 2023 question covers Defence Technology – Missiles, DRDO & Weapons Systems topic.

Q: What is the difficulty level of this question?

This UPSC Prelims 2023 Science & Technology question has a easy difficulty level and is marked as an important question.

Q: Where can I find more UPSC Prelims previous year questions?

You can find more UPSC Prelims previous year questions on AspirantMitraa. Browse by subject, topic, year, and difficulty level to practice effectively.

Question

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?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2Step-by-step Solution:Statement 1 — Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds; cruise missiles are rocket-powered only initially: This is incorrect. The descriptions are reversed. Cruise missiles are jet-propelled (using air-breathing engines like turbojets or turbofans) and sustain aerodynamic flight throughout their journey, typically at low altitudes. They can be subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic. Ballistic missiles, on the other hand, are rocket-powered (not jet-propelled) only during the initial powered phase (boost phase), after which they follow an unpowered, free-falling ballistic trajectory (like a projectile) through most of their flight path before re-entering the atmosphere. ✗Statement 2 — Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile; BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile: This is incorrect. Both descriptions are wrong: Agni-V is India's Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km (some estimates say 5,500–8,000 km). It is a solid-fuelled, three-stage ballistic missile — not a cruise missile. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile (not a ballistic missile) developed jointly by India (DRDO) and Russia (NPO Mashinostroyenia). It is propelled by a rocket booster initially and then by a ramjet engine, travelling at speeds of Mach 2.8–3.0. It is not solid-fuelled throughout. ✗Why other options are incorrect:Options A, B, C: Incorrect because both statements are factually wrong.Key Concept: Cruise missiles: Unmanned, self-propelled, use aerodynamic lift, jet-powered throughout, fly within the atmosphere; Examples: BrahMos (supersonic), Nirbhay (subsonic). Ballistic missiles: Rocket-powered only in boost phase, follow ballistic arc (like a projectile), can exit atmosphere; Classified by range: SRBM (5500 km); India's Agni series: Agni-I (SRBM), Agni-II (MRBM), Agni-III (IRBM), Agni-IV (IRBM), Agni-V (ICBM).

Master UPSC Prelims with Our Test Series

More Questions from Defence Technology – Missiles, DRDO & Weapons Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

Master UPSC Prelims with Our Test Series

More Questions from Defence Technology – Missiles, DRDO & Weapons Systems

Frequently Asked Questions