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Although the missiles themselves are not intended to explode, malfunctions can cause the missiles to explode in flight. This was a repeated problem during early development of most missiles intended to carry nuclear warheads; some even exploded directly on the launchpad. One Titan II missile even exploded in its silo, throwing its warhead nearly a mile away (but without the warhead exploding).

The nuclear warhead or warheads carried by the missile are clearly explosive, some with yields up to 20 megatons. But they are no longer attached to the missle when they explode. The missile carries the warhead or warheads into space, where they separate and the warhead or warheads reenter the atmosphere, then explode about a mile above a city or just below the ground surface near a missile silo or other fortified military facility.

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How far can nuclear missile travel?

Nuclear missiles can travel thousands of kilometers, with some intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching targets on the other side of the world. The exact range depends on the specific missile and its design.


Is nuclear power explosive?

Nuclear power plants use controlled nuclear reactions to generate electricity and are not explosive in the same way as nuclear weapons or chemical explosives. While accidents at nuclear power plants can release harmful radiation, the likelihood of a nuclear explosion is extremely low due to safety measures in place.


How to make nuclear bomb-?

To make a nuclear bomb, you need the fissionable material such as a Plutonium239 isotope, an explosive to start the nuclear chain reaction, a detonator, and a pusher.


What has more power an atomic bomb or a nuclear missile?

The question you are asking is equivalent in many ways to asking "Which number is bigger 27 or 27?" as an atomic explosive and a nuclear explosive are generally considered the same. The only difference is a bomb is typically an explosive delivered by a manned airplane whereas the explosive warhead on a missile is delivered by either a rocket or an unmanned airplane called a cruise missile. Either one could be a higher yield explosive, or as I stated in the example at the beginning of this answer both could be identical.


Is there nuclear energy in nuclear bombs?

Yes, there is nuclear energy in nuclear bombs. It is released in a few microseconds when they are detonated.

Related Questions

How many nuclear missile are there in china and India?

India is estimated to have about 80-100 nuclear missiles. And China has an estimated of 300+ nuclear missiles.


Did Cuba ever have nuclear missiles?

No. Cuba itself never had nuclear missiles although the USSR set up nuclear missile launch sites in Cuba.


What type of nuclear missiles did the Cuban and Soviet Government place during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

ss4 and ss5 nuclear missiles


Why can't nukes fit on missiles?

Some nuclear weapons can be fitted to missiles. In the case of an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles) a nuclear weapon can be outfitted so that it can reach distant points on the globe.


How can you develop Pakistan?

With the aid of nuclear missiles.


What soviet premier installed and removed nuclear missiles in Cuba?

The General Secretary/Premier Nikita Khrushchev removed nuclear missiles from Cuba after a very tense nuclear drawdown in the U.S.


How many nuclear missiles did the Soviets set up in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

i know 6 SS-4 Nuclear missiles


How high do nuclear missiles go?

Nuclear missiles leave the earth's atmosphere for some time. Intercontinental missiles, for example require the missile to ascend to 1,000 feet to assure that it will reach it's intended target.


What were the soviets tying to install in Cuba?

Nuclear missiles.


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43


What is the effect of nuclear missiles?

Same as nuclear gravity bombs dropped by bomber aircraft.


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Missiles with nuclear warheads have never been used in war. The only nuclear weapons ever used in war were the 2 used to end WW2 in Japan. These were gravity bombs.