ICBM
Military abbreviation · Weapon and Military Equipment
| Stands for | Intercontinental ballistic missile |
|---|---|
| Categories | Military |
ICBM stands for Intercontinental ballistic missile, a weapon and military equipment abbreviation.
Long-range ballistic missile with a range greater than 5,500 kilometers, able to deliver nuclear warheads between continents in about 30 minutes. The United States, Russia and China field ICBMs in silos or on mobile launchers.
Example: North Korea's latest ICBM test splashed down in the Sea of Japan after a 70-minute flight.
Usage notes
The US land-based ICBM force consists of about 400 Minuteman III missiles in silos in Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and neighboring states, to be replaced by the LGM-35A Sentinel. ICBMs make up one leg of the nuclear triad alongside submarine-launched missiles and bombers. Pronounced as letters.
Related abbreviations
More weapon and military equipment abbreviations
- HARM – High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile
- HE – High explosive
- HEAT – High-explosive anti-tank
- HGV – Hypersonic glide vehicle
- HIMARS – High Mobility Artillery Rocket System
- HMMWV – High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
- IFV – Infantry fighting vehicle
- IOTV – Improved Outer Tactical Vest
- IRBM – Intermediate-range ballistic missile
- JDAM – Joint Direct Attack Munition
- JLTV – Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
- JSTARS – Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System