Cruise missile
A cruise missile is a low-flying, strategic guided missile designed for precision strikes, initially anticipated by the German V-1 missile during World War II. Developed primarily by the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s, these missiles can carry either conventional explosives or nuclear warheads. They follow a "ground-hugging" flight path, which minimizes their radar visibility, making them harder to detect. Typically propelled by jet engines, cruise missiles utilize an inertial navigation system for accurate targeting, maintaining their position and acceleration throughout flight.
Cruise missiles differentiate themselves from ballistic missiles by their flight characteristics; while ballistic missiles ascend steeply and descend through gravity, cruise missiles travel at lower speeds and longer durations, which makes them more susceptible to interception. They are often considered more adaptable and economical compared to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). However, their single-use design and high costs have led military analysts to debate their value. In recent years, following the end of the Cold War, the United States and Russia have taken steps to reduce their inventories of both cruise missiles and ICBMs.
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Cruise missile
A low-flying strategic guided missile, anticipated by the German V-1 missile of World War II (1939–1945). True cruise missiles were developed by the United States and Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s and were designed to carry either a standard explosive payload or a nuclear warhead. Following a “ground-hugging” path toward their target, cruise missiles have low radar visibility. These single stage weapons are propelled by jet engines and guided to their target by an inertial navigation system (position and acceleration are internally controlled and maintained to ensure an accurate strike). Air launched cruise missiles (ALCM) are generally deployed from bombers. Others, such as the Tomahawk SLCM and the Tomahawk GLCM, can be launched from sea or land.
Cruise missiles may be contrasted to ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMS), which are propelled in a steep trajectory before descending to the target through gravity. Cruise missiles are noted for their high accuracy, and are generally less expensive and more adaptable than ICBMs. However, they are more susceptible to interception as they are in flight longer and operate at lower speeds than ICBMS. Cruise missiles and ballistic missiles alike are also by design single-use only, which combined with their high prices leads some military analysts to question their overall value. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union the United States and Russia have worked to reduce their stockpiles of cruise missiles and ICBMs.
Bibliography
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Weinberger, Sharon. "Cruise Missiles: The Million-Dollar Weapon." Huffington Post. TheHuuffingtonPost.com, 25 Mar. 2011. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.
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