NUCLEAR MISSILE Meaning and
Definition
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A nuclear missile refers to a weapon of mass destruction that combines the principles of nuclear fission or fusion with the delivery capabilities of a missile. It is a type of strategic ballistic missile specifically designed to carry a nuclear warhead over long distances.
In its operation, a nuclear missile consists of two primary components: the missile itself and the nuclear warhead. The missile serves as a launch platform, providing the means for guiding, delivering, and propelling the warhead towards its target. The warhead, on the other hand, houses the nuclear explosive material and associated mechanisms required to initiate the explosion.
Nuclear missiles fall into two main categories: intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). ICBMs are primarily launched from land-based facilities and can travel vast distances, often crossing continents or oceans. SLBMs, as the name suggests, are launched from submarines submerged underwater, enabling a stealthy and mobile delivery capability.
The primary purpose of a nuclear missile is to deter potential adversaries by ensuring a credible retaliatory capability, thereby discouraging any attack against one's territory. The destructive power of a nuclear missile arises from the immense amount of energy released by the nuclear explosion, which can cause devastating damage over large areas, resulting in widespread loss of life and infrastructure destruction.
Due to the extreme destructive potential of nuclear missiles, their development, deployment, and use are heavily regulated by international treaties and agreements to prevent the escalation of conflicts and maintain global peace and security.
Common Misspellings for NUCLEAR MISSILE
- buclear missile
- muclear missile
- juclear missile
- huclear missile
- nyclear missile
- nhclear missile
- njclear missile
- niclear missile
- n8clear missile
- n7clear missile
- nuxlear missile
- nuvlear missile
- nuflear missile
- nudlear missile
- nuckear missile
- nucpear missile
- nucoear missile
- nuclwar missile
- nuclsar missile
- nucldar missile
Etymology of NUCLEAR MISSILE
The word "nuclear" is derived from the Latin word "nucleus", meaning "kernel" or "core". It was first used in the scientific context in the early 20th century to describe the central part of an atom, now known as the atomic nucleus.
The term "missile" comes from the Latin word "missilis", meaning "capable of being thrown". It was first used in English in the 17th century to refer to any projectile or weapon that could be propelled through the air, including arrows.
The combination of "nuclear" and "missile" to form "nuclear missile" originates in the mid-20th century, specifically during the Cold War era when nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles became central to the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
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