Intermediate-range ballistic missile

An intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) is a

ballistic missile with a range of 3,000–5,500  km
(1,864–3,418 miles), between a medium-range ballistic
missile (MRBM) and an intercontinental ballistic
missile (ICBM). Classifying ballistic missiles by range
is done mostly for convenience; in principle there is
very little difference between a low-performance
ICBM and a high-performance IRBM, because
decreasing payload mass can increase range over
ICBM threshold. The range definition used here is
used within the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Some
other sources include an additional category, the long-
IRBM and MRBM missiles.
range ballistic missile (LRBM), to describe missiles
with a range between IRBMs and true ICBMs. The
more modern term theatre ballistic missile encompasses MRBMs and SRBMs, including any ballistic
missile with a range under 3,500 km (2,175 mi).

The progenitor for the IRBM was the A4b winged rocket, based on the V-2 (officially called A4) rocket
used by Nazi Germany at the end of World War II.

Contents
History
Nomenclature
Specific IRBMs
See also
References

History
The progenitor for the IRBM was the A4b rocket winged for increased range and based on the famous V-2
(Vergeltung, or "Reprisal", officially called A4) rocket designed by Wernher von Braun; the V-2 was
widely used by Nazi Germany at the end of World War II to bomb English and Belgian cities. The A4b
was the prototype for the upper stage of the A9/A10 rocket. The goal of the program was to build a missile
capable of bombarding New York when launched in France or Spain (see Amerika Bomber). A4b rockets
were tested a few times in December 1944 and January and February 1945.[1] All of these rockets used
liquid propellant. The A4b used an inertial guidance system, while the A9 would have been controlled by a
pilot. They started from a non-mobile launch pad.

Following World War II von Braun and other lead Nazi scientists were secretly transferred to the United
States to work directly for the U.S. Army through Operation Paperclip developing the V-2 into the weapon
for the United States.
IRBMs are currently operated by the People's Republic of China, India,[2][3] Israel, and North Korea.[4]
The United States, USSR, Pakistan, United Kingdom, and France were former operators.

Nomenclature
There is no clearly agreed-upon distinction between an intermediate-range and a medium range (MRBM)
missile, and the categories overlap. Different sources will classify missiles in different ways. They are both
distinct from ICBMs in that they have a range that is less than intercontinental, and hence must be based
relatively close to the target. An IRBM, in general, is intended as a strategic weapon, while a MRBM, in
general, is intended as a theatre ballistic missile.

Specific IRBMs
IRBMs
Range
Date *D Model
km
Maximum km Country

 United States,  United

1959 PGM-17 Thor 1,900 2,400
Kingdom

Cancelled Blue Streak 3,700  United Kingdom

1962 R-14 Chusovaya (SS-5) 3,700  Soviet Union

1970 DF-3A 4,000 5,000  China,  Saudi Arabia

1976 RSD-10 Pioneer (SS-20) 5,500  Soviet Union

1980 S3 IRBM 3,500  France

2004 DF-25 3,200 4,000  China

2006 Agni-III 3,500 5,000  India

2007 DF-26 3,500 5,000  China

Hwasong-10/RD-B 4,000 (not

2010 2,500  North Korea[5]
Musudan proven)

2011 Agni-IV 4,000  India

2010 K-4[6] 3,500  India

2017 Hwasong-12/KN-17 3,700 6,000  North Korea

2007 Shahab-5 4,000 4,300  Iran

See also
Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
ICBM
List of ICBMs
Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM)
Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)
Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)
Anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM)
 Hypersonic cruise missile
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

References
1. "Die geflügelte Rakete ( A7, A9, A4b ) (in German)" (http://www.v2werk-oberraderach.de/Irrtu
emer/5-I.htm). V2werk-oberraderach.de. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2011071911
1841/http://www.v2werk-oberraderach.de/Irrtuemer/5-I.htm) from the original on 2011-07-19.
Retrieved 2011-07-15.
2. "Indian Army Successfully Test Fires Nuke-Capable Agni-IV Missile" (http://www.newindiane
xpress.com/states/odisha/Indian-Army-Successfully-Test-Fires-Nuke-Capable-Agni-IV-Missil
e/2015/11/09/article3121243.ece). The New Indian Express. Archived (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20160405175541/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Indian-Army-Succ
essfully-Test-Fires-Nuke-Capable-Agni-IV-Missile/2015/11/09/article3121243.ece) from the
original on 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
3. "Ballistic missile Agni-IV test-fired as part of user trial - Times of India" (http://timesofindia.ind
iatimes.com/india/Ballistic-missile-Agni-IV-test-fired-as-part-of-user-trial/articleshow/497205
22.cms). The Times of India. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20160121044007/http://ti
mesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ballistic-missile-Agni-IV-test-fired-as-part-of-user-trial/articl
eshow/49720522.cms) from the original on 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
4. "North Korea's Ballistic Missile Program" (https://web.archive.org/web/20160222051359/htt
p://www.ncnk.org/resources/publications/Missile_Issue_Brief.pdf) (PDF). National
Committee on North Korea. Archived from the original (http://www.ncnk.org/resources/public
ations/Missile_Issue_Brief.pdf) (PDF) on 2016-02-22. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
5. "Ballistic Missiles of the World" (http://missilethreat.com/missiles/agni-3/?country=india#indi
a). MissileThreat. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
6. "India Inches Closer to Credible Nuclear Triad with K-4 SLBM Test" (https://thediplomat.com/
2014/05/india-inches-closer-to-credible-nuclear-triad-with-k-4-slbm-test/).

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