Reaching Close to 9,500 Miles in Range, There May Be Nowhere to Hide From This Missile

The ultimate strategic weapon may be the long-range ballistic missile. Its reach can go 10,000 miles or further, and it travels at high speeds with deadly accuracy. These missiles can carry nuclear warheads and are powerful weapons in a world ripe with international conflict. Many countries compete for these resources. Just last year, North Korea claimed it tested an advanced solid-fueled ballistic missile. And we couldn’t go without mentioning the current war between Ukraine and Russia is teeming with missiles.

The Russian government has been using the light multipurpose guided rocket or LMUR missile against Ukraine. With a range of 15 kilometers, this missile is meant for precision strikes on highly protected targets. However, such a limited range does not compare to intercontinental ballistic missiles or ICBMs. These far-traveling weapons are capable of carrying extremely dangerous nuclear warheads. Many countries possess these particular weapons, which can travel at least 3,500 miles (over 5,600 kilometers) with nuclear warheads in tow.

By reviewing information from the Arms Control Association, an organization dedicated to arms control, 24/7 Wall St. determined how far the world’s most powerful missiles can traverse. They incorporated only those with ranges of at least 5,600 km. Data was also sourced from the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Federation of American Scientists.

The nations with fully operational ICBMs include the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Russia, and France. Though North Korea has made no secret of their nuclear weapons, they are still working on their missile programs to develop their ICBMs. Since Russia is at war, the world feels dangerously close to the use of nuclear power. Putin has been quoted as saying Russia would utilize “instruments … nobody else can boast of, and we will use them if we have to.”

Why We Are Covering This Topic

It is vital for the U.S. military to know how their defense strategies compare to those of other countries, particularly when it comes to adversaries. As tensions rise between Russia and U.S.-backed Ukraine and conflict mounts in the Middle East, practical Americans are increasingly concerned with the United States’ ability to protect itself. Missiles are an essential part of defense planning for America and globally.

These are the most powerful missiles that can travel long distances.

18. M51.1

• Operator: France
• Range: 3,728+ miles
• Warhead: Nuclear, 100 kT each
• Payload: 6-10 MIRV
• Basing: Submarine-based
• Size: 52.9 tons, 39.4 feet long

17. RSM-50 Volna

• Operator: Russia
• Range: 4,039-4,971 miles
• Warhead: MIRV
• Payload: Four warheads
• Basing: Submarine-based
• Size: 40.3 tons, 48.6 feet long

16. Julang (JL) 2

• Operator: China
• Range: 4,350+ miles
• Warhead: 200-300 kT each
• Payload: Single warhead
• Basing: Submarine-based
• Size: N/A

15. D-5 Trident II

• Operator: United States, United Kingdom
• Range: 4,598-7,456 miles
• Warhead: W76 100 kT or W88 475 kT
• Payload: Up to 8 MIRV Mk 4 or Mk 5 warheads
• Basing: Submarine-based
• Size: 65.1 tons, 44.0 feet long

14. SS-N-8

• Operator: Russia
• Range: 4,971 miles
• Warhead: 0.6-1.5 MT
• Payload: Single warhead
• Basing: Submarine-based
• Size: 33.3 tons, 42.7 feet long

13. RSM-56 Bulava

• Operator: Russia
• Range: 5,157 miles
• Warhead: Nuclear, 100-150 kT
• Payload: Up to 10 MIRVs, 1,150 kg
• Basing: Submarine-based
• Size: 40.6 tons, 39.7 feet long

12. RSM-54 Sineva

• Operator: Russia
• Range: 5,157 miles
• Warhead: MIRV
• Payload: Four warheads
• Basing: Submarine-based
• Size: 40.3 tons, 48.6 feet long

11. Minuteman III

• Operator: United States
• Range: 5,996-8,078 miles
• Warhead: W78 at 335 kT, W87 at 300 kT nuclear
• Payload: Up to 3 Mk 12A;
• Basing: Silo-based
• Size: 38.0 tons, 59.7 feet long

10. RS-18

• Operator: Russia
• Range: 6,214 miles
• Warhead: Six MIRV, 3,355 kg
• Payload: Nuclear, 500-600 kT
• Basing: Silo-based
• Size: 116.4 tons, 79.7 feet long

9. SS-24

• Operator: Russia
• Range: 6,214 miles
• Warhead: MIRV, 550 kT
• Payload: 10 MIRV
• Basing: Silo-based, railcar-based
• Size: 104.5 tons, 76.8 feet long

8. RS-20V

• Operator: Russia
• Range: 6,338-9,942 miles
• Warhead: Nuclear, 500-750 kT
• Payload: Single warhead
• Basing: Silo-based
• Size: 210.5 tons, 112.5 feet long

7. RS-24 Yars

• Operator: Russia
• Range: 6,524 miles
• Warhead: Nuclear, 150-200 kT
• Payload: Three MIRV warheads
• Basing: Road-mobile, silo-based
• Size: 54.7 tons, 73.8 feet long

6. RS-12M Topol

• Operator: Russia
• Range: 6,524-6,835 miles
• Warhead: Nuclear, 550-800 kT
• Payload: Single warhead
• Basing: Road-mobile
• Size: 12.1 tons, 67.3 feet long

5. RS-12M1 Topol-M

• Operator: Russia
• Range: 6,835 miles
• Warhead: Nuclear 500 kT
• Payload: Single warhead
• Basing: Road-mobile, silo-based
• Size: 51.8 tons, 71.9 feet long

4. DF-31A

• Operator: China
• Range: 6,835+ miles
• Warhead: 200-300 kT each
• Payload: Single warhead
• Basing: Silo-based
• Size: N/A

3. DF-5

• Operator: China
• Range: 7,456 miles
• Warhead: 200-300 kT each
• Payload: Double warhead
• Basing: Silo-based
• Size: N/A

2. DF-5B

• Operator: China
• Range: 7,456 miles
• Warhead: 200-300 kT each
• Payload: Three Warheads
• Basing: Silo-based
• Size: N/A

1. DF-41

• Operator: China
• Range: 7,456-9,321 miles
• Warhead: 200-300 kT each
• Payload: Three Warheads
• Basing: Silo-based
• Size: N/A

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