// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Cruise Missile
A cruise missile is a guided weapon that flies like a small, unmanned airplane, using a jet engine and wings to travel at low altitudes over long distances. Its low flight path helps it avoid radar detection before hitting a pre-programmed target with high accuracy.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A cruise missile is a self-propelled, guided weapon system that utilizes jet propulsion and aerodynamic lift to fly sustained, non-ballistic, low-altitude trajectories. These long-range standoff munitions are guided by systems like INS, GPS, and TERCOM to deliver conventional or nuclear warheads with high precision against land or sea targets.
BACKGROUND
The BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is an American long-range, all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile that is used by the United States Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy and Royal Navy in ship and submarine-based land-attack operations.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- standoff weapon
- LACM
- Tomahawk
- air-breathing missile
- ALCM
- SLCM
- GLCM
USAGE NOTE
This term is distinct from 'ballistic missile,' which follows a high, arching, largely unpowered trajectory after its initial boost.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Cruise Missile.
A major U.S. defense contractor and manufacturer of the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM), a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile. They are also developing next-generation systems like the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM).
Develops and produces a range of standoff cruise missiles, including the AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) and its extended-range variant, JASSM-ER, as well as the derivative Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM).
A European multinational developer of missile systems, jointly owned by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. Their products include the Storm Shadow / SCALP, a long-range air-launched cruise missile, and the Naval Cruise Missile (NCM).
Known for the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile, a sea-skimming cruise missile. Boeing is also involved in the development of future hypersonic cruise missile technologies and modern standoff weapons.
A Norwegian company that produces the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), an anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile, and its air-launched variant, the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), used by platforms like the F-35.
A leading Russian state-owned weapons manufacturer that develops and produces a wide portfolio of air-launched and sea-launched cruise missiles, including the Kh-31, Kh-35, and the long-range Kh-101.
A joint venture between India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya that manufactures the BrahMos, a family of supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land.
A U.S. defense technology company involved in multiple aspects of cruise missile development, including advanced propulsion systems, guidance, and the development of weapons like the AARGM-ER and the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW).