ICBMs
Nuclear deterrent acronym
ICBMs are intercontinental ballistic missiles—nuclear-armed rockets capable of traveling between continents, typically with ranges exceeding 5,500 kilometers.
They follow a ballistic trajectory, launching into space before descending on their targets.
ICBMs form a cornerstone of nuclear deterrence strategy, alongside submarine-launched missiles and strategic bombers: The Cold War arms race centered on ICBM stockpiles.
Self-propelled guided weapons
- warheadsExplosive missile components
- nuclearOf atomic energy
- silosFarm storage towers
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
Trident · strategic · launch · reentry · payload · arsenal · defense · counterforce
Of hurled objects
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- stagesDistinct periods or platforms
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
inertial · gyroscope · thrust · booster · decoys · countermeasures · telemetry · range
Seizing something in transit
- early-warningAdvance notification of danger
- radarRadio-wave object detection
- satellitesBodies circling larger ones
- NORADAerospace warning command
tracking · antimissile · THAAD · detection · surveillance · bunkers · sirens
Mutual annihilation doctrine
- nonproliferationRestricting weapons dissemination
- treatiesFormal agreements between states
- STARTNuclear disarmament agreement
- SALTNuclear arms control negotiations
disarmament · superpowers · escalation · brinkmanship · standoff · diplomacy · sanctions · Russia
missiles
Self-propelled guided weapons
deterrence · Trident · strategic · launch · reentry · payload · arsenal · defense · counterforce · targeting
ballistic
Of hurled objects
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- stagesDistinct periods or platforms
guidance · inertial · gyroscope · thrust · booster · decoys · countermeasures · telemetry · range · accuracy
interception
Seizing something in transit
- early-warningAdvance notification of danger
- radarRadio-wave object detection
- satellitesBodies circling larger ones
NORAD · tracking · antimissile · THAAD · detection · surveillance · bunkers · sirens
MAD
Mutual annihilation doctrine
- nonproliferationRestricting weapons dissemination
- treatiesFormal agreements between states
- STARTNuclear disarmament agreement
SALT · disarmament · superpowers · escalation · brinkmanship · standoff · diplomacy · sanctions · Russia · China
- weaponsknife, gun, sword, swords, rifle
- Cold WarBerlin Wall, Iron Curtain, arms race, Warsaw Pact, Cuban Missile Crisis
- Munitionsbombs, missiles, bullets, ordnance, warheads
- Soviet MilitaryRed Army, Soviet Navy, Spetsnaz, marshal, marshals
- Nuclear PowersUSA, Russia, China, France, UK
- Nuclear Treatiesarms reduction, nuclear disarmament, nuclear arms, treaty signing, treaty compliance
ICBMstactical missiles
Short-range precision weapons
cruise missiles · mortars · artillery · small arms · surface-to-air missiles
ICBMsconventional weapons
Non-WMD military equipment
tactical weapons · THAAD · Iron Dome · smart bombs · humanitarian aid