An ICBM, or Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, is a type of long-range missile designed to deliver nuclear or conventional warheads over distances greater than 5,500 kilometers (about 3,400 miles). ICBMs are launched from land-based silos or mobile platforms and follow a ballistic trajectory, meaning they are powered during the initial phase of flight and then coast through space before descending toward their target. ICBMs are a key component of many countries' nuclear deterrent strategies, including those of the United States, Russia, and China. They are capable of reaching targets across continents in a matter of minutes, making them a significant factor in global military balance and strategic defense planning.