Cruise missile

File:Fieseler Fi-103.jpg, the first operational cruise missile]]

The idea of an "aerial torpedo" was shown in the British 1909 film The Airship Destroyer in which flying torpedoes controlled wirelessly are used to bring down airships bombing London.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/rpav_britain.html |title=Remote Piloted Aerial Vehicles : The 'Aerial Target' and 'Aerial Torpedo' in Britain |publisher=Ctie.monash.edu.au |access-date=13 February 2012}}

In 1916, the American aviator Lawrence Sperry built and patented an "aerial torpedo", the Hewitt-Sperry Automatic Airplane, a small biplane carrying a TNT charge, a Sperry autopilot and barometric altitude control. Inspired by the experiments, the United States Army developed a similar flying bomb called the Kettering Bug. Germany had also flown trials with remote-controlled aerial gliders (Torpedogleiter) built by Siemens-Schuckert beginning in 1916.Roger Branfill-Cook, "Torpedo", Seaforth Publishing, Great Britain 2014

In the Interwar Period, Britain's Royal Aircraft Establishment developed the Larynx (Long Range Gun with Lynx Engine), which underwent a few flight tests in the 1920s.{{cite web|url=http://www.vectorsite.net/twcruz_1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813001620/http://www.vectorsite.net/twcruz_1.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=13 August 2007|title=[1.0] The Aerial Torpedo|date=13 August 2007}}

In the Soviet Union, Sergei Korolev headed the GIRD-06 cruise missile project from 1932 to 1939, which used a rocket-powered boost-glide bomb design. The 06/III (RP-216) and 06/IV (RP-212) contained gyroscopic guidance systems."Object No. 212", 1936 report in _Tvorcheskoi Nasledie Akedemika Sergeya Pavlovicha Koroleva_ The vehicle was designed to boost to {{cvt|28|km}} altitude and glide a distance of {{cvt|280|km}}, but test flights in 1934 and 1936 only reached an altitude of {{convert|500|m}}.

In 1944, during World War II, Germany deployed the first operational cruise missiles. The V-1, often called a flying bomb, contained a gyroscope guidance system and was propelled by a simple pulsejet engine, the sound of which gave it the nickname of "buzz bomb" or "doodlebug". Accuracy was sufficient only for use against very large targets (the general area of a city), while the range of {{cvt|250|km}} was significantly lower than that of a bomber carrying the same payload. The main advantages were speed (although not sufficient to outperform contemporary propeller-driven interceptors) and expendability. The production cost of a V-1 was only a small fraction of that of a V-2 supersonic ballistic missile with a similar-sized warhead.Both missiles were manufactured under the heavy use of Nazi slave labour. Unlike the V-2, the initial deployments of the V-1 required stationary launch ramps which were susceptible to bombardment. Nazi Germany, in 1943, also developed the Mistel composite aircraft program, which can be seen as a rudimentary air-launched cruise missile, where a piloted fighter-type aircraft was mounted atop an unpiloted bomber-sized aircraft that was packed with explosives to be released while approaching the target. Bomber-launched variants of the V-1 saw limited operational service near the end of the war, with the pioneering V-1's design reverse-engineered by the Americans as the Republic-Ford JB-2 cruise missile.

Immediately after World War II, the United States Air Force had 21 different guided missile projects, including proposed cruise missiles. By 1948, all but four of these projects had been canceled: the Air Materiel Command Banshee, the SM-62 Snark, the SM-64 Navaho, and the MGM-1 Matador. The Banshee design was similar to Operation Aphrodite; like Aphrodite, it failed, and was canceled in April 1949.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070303204907/http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA162646 The Evolution of the Cruise Missile by Werrell, Kenneth P.] see PDF page 92 Concurrently, the US Navy's Operation Bumblebee, was conducted at Topsail Island, North Carolina, from c. 1 June 1946, to 28 July 1948. Bumblebee produced proof-of-concept technologies that influenced the US military's other missile projects.

During the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union experimented further with the concept, of deploying early cruise missiles from land, submarines, and aircraft. The main outcome of the United States Navy submarine missile project was the SSM-N-8 Regulus missile, based upon the V-1 but powered by an Allison J33 jet engine. The Regulus entered service but was phased out with the advent of submarine launched ballistic missiles that did not require the submarine to surface in order to launch the missile and guide it to its target.

The United States Air Force's first operational surface-to-surface missile was the winged, mobile, nuclear-capable MGM-1 Matador, also similar in concept to the V-1. Deployment overseas began in 1954, first to West Germany and later to the Republic of China and South Korea. On 7 November 1956, the U.S. Air Force deployed Matador units in West Germany, whose missiles were capable of striking targets in the Warsaw Pact, from their fixed day-to-day sites to unannounced dispersed launch locations. This alert was in response to the crisis posed by the Soviet attack on Hungary which suppressed the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.

Between 1957 and 1961 the United States followed an ambitious and well-funded program to develop a nuclear-powered cruise missile, Supersonic Low Altitude Missile (SLAM). It was designed to fly below the enemy's radar at speeds above Mach 3 and carry hydrogen bombs that it would drop along its path over enemy territory. Although the concept was proven sound and the {{convert|500|MW|adj=on}} engine finished a successful test run in 1961, no airworthy device was ever completed. The project was finally abandoned in favor of ICBM development.

While ballistic missiles were the preferred weapons for land targets, heavy nuclear and conventional weapon tipped cruise missiles were seen by the USSR as a primary weapon to destroy United States naval carrier battle groups. Large submarines (for example, Echo and Oscar classes) were developed to carry these weapons and shadow United States battle groups at sea, and large bombers (for example, Backfire, Bear, and Blackjack models) were equipped with the weapons in their air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) configuration.

Cruise missiles can be categorized by payload/warhead size, speed, range, and launch platform. Often variants of the same missile are produced for different launch platforms (for instance, air- and submarine-launched versions).

Guidance systems can vary across missiles. Some missiles can be fitted with any of a variety of navigation systems (Inertial navigation, TERCOM, or satellite navigation). Larger cruise missiles can carry either a conventional or a nuclear warhead, while smaller ones carry only conventional warheads.

{{See also|Hypersonic weapon|Hypersonic flight}}

A hypersonic cruise missile travels at least five times the speed of sound (Mach 5).

• 3M22 Zircon (>1000–1500 km) {{flagicon|Russia}} – hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile{{cite web|url= http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2016/02/russia-will-refit-nuclear-powered.html|title=Russia will refit nuclear powered guided missile cruiser with mach 5 hypersonic 3M22 missiles with 2022 deployment|website=NextBigFuture.com|date=21 February 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://uslivenic.com/3m22-zircon-missile-russias-fastest-missile/|title=3M22 Zircon Missile, Russia's Fastest Missile|access-date=23 November 2022|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330024209/https://uslivenic.com/3m22-zircon-missile-russias-fastest-missile/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/13/europe/ukraine-russia-zircon-hypersonic-missile-intl-hnk-ml/index.html|title=Russia used an advanced hypersonic missile for the first time in recent strike, Ukraine claims|website=CNN |date=13 February 2024 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/08/hypersonic-brahmos-ii-missile-may-include-tech-from-tsirkon-missile/|website=Naval News |title=Hypersonic BrahMos-II missile may include tech from Tsirkon missile |date=2 August 2022 }}

• ASN4G (Air-Sol Nucléaire de 4e Génération) {{flagicon|FRA}} – scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile being developed by France{{Cite web |title=Counting the cost of deterrence: France's nuclear recapitalisation |url=https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2021/05/france-nuclear-recapitalisation |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=IISS |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Timothy |date=1 May 2022 |title=Hypersonic Missile Proliferation: An Emerging European Problem? |url=https://www.nonproliferation.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/EUNPDC_no-80.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517163238/https://www.nonproliferation.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/EUNPDC_no-80.pdf |archive-date=2022-05-17 |url-status=live |access-date=26 October 2022 |website=The EU Non-Proliferation Consortium}}
• BrahMos-II (≈800–1500 km) {{flagicon|India}} / {{flagicon|Russia}} – hypersonic cruise missile{{cite web|url=https://brahmos.com/newscenter.php?newsid=95|title=India to develop BrahMos-II missile|website=Brahmos.com}} under development {{as of | 2011 | lc = on}} in India and Russia{{cite news|url= http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-10-09/news/30260244_1_air-version-stealth-supersonic-cruise-missile-india-s-defence-research|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130103092457/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-10-09/news/30260244_1_air-version-stealth-supersonic-cruise-missile-india-s-defence-research|url-status= dead|archive-date= 3 January 2013|title=Hypersonic version of Brahmos on the way|date=9 October 2011|work=The Times of India}}{{cite web|url=http://www.brahmos.com/newscenter.php?newsid=102|title=India, Russia to develop new hypersonic cruise missile|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100628020619/http://brahmos.com/newscenter.php?newsid=102|archive-date= 28 June 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=23 February 2012}}

• Hycore (South Korea){{cite web | url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/weapons/south-korea-develops-hycore-hypersonic-cruise-missile | title=South Korea develops Hycore hypersonic cruise missile | date=25 January 2022 }}
• HSTDV {{flagicon|India}} – hypersonic scramjet demonstrator. A carrier vehicle for hypersonic long-range cruise missiles is being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).{{Cite web|url= https://theprint.in/defence/drdo-test-fires-futuristic-missile-tech-but-its-success-is-in-doubt/249386/|title= DRDO test-fires futuristic missile tech, but its success is in doubt|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=2019-06-12|website=ThePrint|language=en-US|access-date= 2020-03-23}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/drdo-starts-work-on-hypersonic-weapon/story-NAg6ViN9W94ll4CsfGDNYP.html|title=DRDO starts work on 'next-gen' hypersonic weapon|date=2019-10-20|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-03-23}}
• Hyfly-2 {{flagicon|USA}} – hypersonic air-launched cruise missile first displayed at Sea Air Space 2021, developed by Boeing{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sea-air-space-2021/2021/08/sea-air-space-2021-boeing-unveils-new-hypersonic-cruise-missile-concept/|title = Sea Air Space 2021: Boeing Unveils New Hypersonic Cruise Missile Concept|date = 4 August 2021}}
• Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC, pronounced Hawk) {{flagicon|USA}} – scramjet-powered hypersonic air-launched cruise missile without a warhead that uses its own kinetic energy upon impact to destroy the target, developed by DARPA{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/04/politics/us-hypersonic-missile-test/index.html|title = US tested hypersonic missile in mid-March but kept it quiet to avoid escalating tensions with Russia | CNN Politics|website = CNN|date = 5 April 2022}}{{cite web |title=Second Successful Flight for DARPA Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) |url=https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2022-04-05#:~:text=Air%2Dbreathing%20vehicles%20utilize%20air,targets%20even%20without%20high%20explosives |website=DARPA |date=4 May 2022}}
• Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO) {{flagicon|USA}} – air-launched anti-ship missile under Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare Increment 2 (OASuW Inc 2) program for the US Navy (Navy){{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/09/halo-us-navy-hypersonic-capability/ | title=HALO programme accelerates US Navy hypersonic capability drive | date=5 September 2022 }}{{cite web |title=FY18 Navy Programs – Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) Increment 1 |website=Director, Operational Test and Evaluation |url=https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2018/navy/2018oasuw.pdf?ver=2019-08-21-155650-680 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201164929/https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2018/navy/2018oasuw.pdf?ver=2019-08-21-155650-680 |archive-date=2020-02-01}}
• Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) {{flagicon|USA}} – planned for use by the United States Air Force{{Cite web |title=Raytheon/Northrop Grumman team selected for HACM hypersonic weapon |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/raytheonnorthrop-grumman-team-selected-for-hacm-hypersonic-weapon |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Janes.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=US Air Force Selects Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Northrop Grumman to Deliver First Hypersonic Air-Breathing Missile |url=https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/us-air-force-selects-raytheon-missiles-defense-northrop-grumman-to-deliver-first-hypersonic-air-breathing-missile |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Northrop Grumman Newsroom |language=en}}
• SCIFiRE {{flagicon|USA}} / {{flagicon|AUS}} – Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) is a joint program between the US Department of Defense and the Australian Department of Defence for a Mach 5 scramjet-powered missile.{{cite press release |title=Department of Defense Announces New Allied Prototyping Initiative Effort With Australia to Continue Partnership in Developing Air Breathing Hypersonic Vehicles |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2429061/department-of-defense-announces-new-allied-prototyping-initiative-effort-with-a/ |website=United States Department of Defense |access-date=18 January 2022 |date=30 November 2020}}{{cite press release |author1=Defence Minister Linda Reynolds |title=Australia collaborates with the US to develop and test high speed long-range hypersonic weapons |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/lreynolds/media-releases/australia-collaborates-us-develop-and-test-high-speed-long-range |website=Department of Defence Ministers |access-date=19 January 2022 |date=1 December 2020}}{{cite web |title=SCIFiRE Hypersonics |url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/our-mission/scifire-hypersonics |website=Royal Australian Air Force |date=16 July 2021 |access-date=19 January 2022}} In September 2021, the US Department of Defense awarded Preliminary Design Review contracts to Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Missiles & Defense.{{cite press release |title=Contracts For Sept. 3, 2021 |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2764928/ |website=United States Department of Defence |access-date=18 January 2022 |date=3 September 2021}}{{cite press release |title=Contracts For Sept. 1, 2021 |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2762096/ |website=United States Department of Defence |access-date=18 January 2022 |date=1 September 2021}}

File:Brahmos imds.jpg shown at IMDS 2007.|300x300px]]

These missiles travel faster than the speed of sound, usually using ramjet engines. The range is typically 100–500 km, but can be greater. Guidance systems vary.

Examples:

• ASALM US ALCM prototype, test-flown to hypersonic Mach 5.5
• 3M-54 Kalibr (4,500 km, Mach 3) {{flagicon|Russia}} (the "Sizzler" variant is capable of supersonic speed at the terminal stage only)
• 3M-51 Alfa (250 km, Mach 2.5) {{flagicon|Russia}}
• Air-Sol Moyenne Portée (300–500 km+, Mach 3) {{flagicon|France}} – supersonic stand-off nuclear missile
• ASM-3 (400 km, Mach 3+) {{flagicon|JAP}}
• BrahMos (290–800 km, Mach 3) {{flagicon|India}} / {{flagicon|Russia}}{{Cite web |date=24 November 2020 |title=India now working on 1,500-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile |url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-now-working-on-1500-km-range-brahmos-supersonic-cruise-missile/550924/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204100808/https://theprint.in/defence/india-now-working-on-1500-km-range-brahmos-supersonic-cruise-missile/550924/ |archive-date=4 February 2021 |access-date=27 January 2021 |website=The Print |language=en}}
• Blyskavka (100–370 km) {{flagicon|Ukraine}} – Artem Luch Pivdenmash
• C-101 (50 km, Mach 2) {{flagicon|China}}
• C-301 (100+ km, Mach) {{flagicon|China}}
• C-803 (230 km, Mach 1.4) {{flagicon|China}} – supersonic terminal stage only
• C-805 {{flagicon|China}}
• CX-1 (280 km, Mach 3) {{flagicon|China}}
• CJ-100 / DF-100 (2000–3000 km, Mach 5) {{flagicon|China}}
• FC/ASW (under development) – transnational cruise missile programme {{flagicon|France}} / {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} / {{flagicon|Italy}}[http://home.janes.com/events/exhibitions/dsei2011/sections/daily/day1/perseus-mbdas-missile-of-.shtml Janes – Perseus: MBDA's missile of the future?] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111113133922/http://home.janes.com/events/exhibitions/dsei2011/sections/daily/day1/perseus-mbdas-missile-of-.shtml |date=13 November 2011 }}{{cite web|url= http://www.iiss.org/whats-new/iiss-experts-commentary/from-the-paris-air-show-enter-perseus/ |title= International Institute for Strategic Studies – IISS |access-date=8 October 2015 |url-status= dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628163208/http://www.iiss.org/whats-new/iiss-experts-commentary/from-the-paris-air-show-enter-perseus/ |archive-date=28 June 2012 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8587357/New-British-missile-three-times-as-fast-as-current-weapons.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8587357/New-British-missile-three-times-as-fast-as-current-weapons.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=New British missile three times as fast as current weapons|date= 21 June 2011|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date= 8 October 2015|last1= Harding|first1= Thomas}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.mbda-systems.com/mediagallery/files/cvs401-perseus-_datasheet-1315926538.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130512144417/http://www.mbda-systems.com/mediagallery/files/cvs401-perseus-_datasheet-1315926538.pdf|url-status=dead|title=MBDA Systems|archive-date=12 May 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-perseus-set-to-go-on-the-attack-358513/|title= PARIS: Perseus set to go on the attack|work= Flightglobal.com|access-date= 8 October 2015 |date=22 June 2011}}
• Hsiung Feng III (100-150 km, Mach 3.5) {{flagicon|Republic of China}}
• Hyunmoo-3 (1500 km, Mach 1.2) {{flagicon|South Korea}}
• KD-88 (200 km, Mach 0.85) {{flagicon|China}}
• Kh-20 (380–600 km, Mach 2) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}}
• Kh-31 (25–110 km, Mach 3.5) {{flagicon|Russia}}
• Kh-32 (600–1,000 km, Mach 4.6) {{flagicon|Russia}}
• Kh-80 (3,000–5,000 km, Mach 3) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} / {{flagicon|Russia}}
• P-270 Moskit (120–250 km, Mach 2–3) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} / {{flagicon|Russia}}
• P-500 Bazalt (550 km, Mach 3+) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} / {{flagicon|Russia}}
• P-700 Granit (625 km, Mach 2.5+) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} / {{flagicon|Russia}}
• P-800 Oniks / Kh-61 (600–800 km, Mach 2.6) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} / {{flagicon|Russia}}
• P-1000 Vulkan (800 km, Mach 3+) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} / {{flagicon|Russia}}
• YJ-12 (250–400 km, Mach 4) {{flagicon|China}}
• YJ-18 (220–540 km, Mach 3) {{flagicon|China}}
• YJ-91 (15–120 km, Mach 3.5) {{flagicon|China}}
• Yun Feng (1200–2,000 km, Mach 3) {{flagicon|Republic of China}}
• SSM-N-9 Regulus II (1,852 km, Mach 2) {{flagicon|United States}}

• Burya (8,500 km) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}}
• MKR (8,000 km) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}}
• RSS-40 Buran (8,500 km) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}}
• SLAM (cancelled in 1964) {{flagicon|United States}}
• SM-64 Navaho (canceled in 1958) {{flagicon|United States}}

File:Nirbhay missiles during Republic Day Parade 2018.jpg

The United States, Russia, North Korea, India, Iran, South Korea, Israel, France, China and Pakistan have developed several long-range subsonic cruise missiles. These missiles have a range of over {{convert|1000|km|mi}} and fly at about {{convert|800|km/h|mph}}.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ug-6DgAAQBAJ&pg=PT314|title=The Modern Weaponry of the World's Armed Forces|last=(Retd.)|first=Col Y. Udaya Chandar|date=2017|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=978-1-946983-79-4|page=314}} They typically have a launch weight of about {{convert|1500|kg|lb}}{{cite book|title=The Modern Weaponry of the World's Armed Forces|last=Chandar|first=Col. Y Udaya|publisher=Notion Press|year=2017|isbn=978-1-946983-79-4}} and can carry either a conventional or a nuclear warhead. Earlier versions of these missiles used inertial navigation; later versions use much more accurate TERCOM and DSMAC systems. Most recent versions can use satellite navigation.

Examples:

• 3M-54 Kalibr (up to 4,500 km) {{flagicon|Russia}}
• AGM-86 ALCM (from 1100 to >2400 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• AGM-129 ACM (from 3450 to 3700 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• AGM-181 LRSO (>2500 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• BGM-109 Tomahawk (up to 1,700 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missile (2,500 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• Kh-55 (3,000 km) and Kh-65 {{flagicon|Russia}}
• Kh-101 (4500–5500 km) {{flagicon|Russia}}
• Iskander-K (not less than 3 500 km) {{flagicon|Russia}}
• Hwasal-2 (> 2000 km) {{flagicon|PRK}}
• RK-55 (3,000 km) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}}
• Nirbhay (up to 1500 km){{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nirbhay-cruise-missile-test-fired-drdo-says-indigenous-engine-a-success-101628656458294.html|title = Nirbhay cruise missile test-fired; indigenous engine a success, say officials| work=Hindustan Times |date = 11 August 2021}} {{flagicon|India}}
• MdCN (up to 1,400 km) {{flagicon|France}}
• Paveh (1,650 km) {{flagicon|Iran}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-unveils-new-paveh-cruise-missile-that-can-reach-israel|title = Iran unveils new 'Paveh' cruise missile that can reach Israel| website=The Times of Israel |date = 25 February 2023}}
• Hoveyzeh (1,350 km) {{flagicon|Iran}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/432567/Iran-unveils-long-range-Hoveyzeh-cruise-missile|title = Iran unveils long-range Hoveyzeh cruise missile|date = 2 February 2019}}
• Abu Mahdi (over 1,000 km) {{flagicon|Iran}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/1108707/%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AD-%D9%88%DB%8C%DA%98%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AC-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85-%D9%88-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%85%D9%87%D8%AF%DB%8C|title = Description of the characteristics of 'Martyr Haj Qasem' and 'Martyr Abu Mahdi' missiles|date = 20 August 2020}}
• Quds 1 Houthi {{flagicon|Yemen}}
• Hsiung Feng IIE (600–1,200 km) {{flagicon|Republic of China}}
• Hyunmoo III (Hyunmoo IIIA – 500 km, Hyunmoo IIIB – 1000 km, Hyunmoo IIIC – 1500 km) {{flagicon|South Korea}}
• Type 12 SSM (1,500 km under development) {{flagicon|Japan}}
• MGM-13 Mace {{flagicon|United States}}
• DF-10/CJ-10 (CJ-10K – 1500 km, CJ-20 – 2000 km) {{flagicon|China}}
• Popeye Turbo SLCM {{flagicon|Israel}}

• 9M730 Burevestnik (unlimited range) {{flagicon|Russia}}
• SM-62 Snark (10,200 km) {{flagicon|United States}}

File:Storm Shadow p1220865.jpg (France / UK)]]

File:Babur Cruise Missle at Ideas 2008.jpg cruise missile launcher]]

These missiles are about the same size and weight and fly at similar speeds to the above category. Guidance systems vary.

Examples:

• AGM-158 JASSM (370–1900 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• AGM-158C LRASM (370 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• Babur (290–900 km) {{flagicon|Pakistan}}
• Harbah (250–450 km) {{flagicon|Pakistan}}
• Hatf-VIII / Ra'ad Mark-2 ALCM (400 km) {{flagicon|Pakistan}}
• Hsiung Feng IIE (600–2000 km) {{flagicon|Republic of China}}
• Hyunmoo-3 (within 1500 km) {{flagicon|South Korea}}
• Iskander-K {{flagicon|Russia}}
• KD-63 {{flagicon|China}}
• Taurus KEPD 350 (500+ km) {{flagicon|Germany}} / {{flagicon|Sweden}} / {{flagicon|Spain}}
• Kh-50 (Kh-SD) and Kh-101 Kh-65 variants {{flagicon|Russia}}
• MGM-1 Matador (700 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• Ra'ad ALCM (350 km) {{flagicon|Pakistan}}
• Raad (360 km) {{flagicon|Iran}}
• SOM (SOM B Block I) – 500 km, 1500 km and 2500 km versions (350 km range under serial production, 500 km+ range under development){{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-aims-to-increase-ballistic-missile-ranges.aspx?pageID=238&nID=12731&NewsCatID=345|title=BUSINESS – Turkey aims to increase ballistic missile ranges|author=Ümit Enginsoy|date=February 2012 |publisher=Hurriyetdailynews.com|access-date=13 February 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/19680119.asp|title=Tübıta: Hedefimiz 2 bin 500 kilometre menzilli füze yapmak |date=14 January 2012|publisher=Hurriyet.com.tr|access-date=13 February 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.trt.net.tr/trtavaz/turk-fuzesi-som-icin-geri-sayim-basladi--haber-detay,tr,24107.aspx|title=Türk Füzesi SOM İçin Geri Sayım Başladı – Haber – TRT Avaz|publisher=Trt.net.tr|access-date=13 February 2012|archive-date=10 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510220244/http://www.trt.net.tr/trtavaz/turk-fuzesi-som-icin-geri-sayim-basladi--haber-detay,tr,24107.aspx|url-status=dead}} {{flagicon|Turkey}}
• SSM-N-8 Regulus (926 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• P-5 Pyatyorka (450–750 km) {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} / {{flagicon|Russia}} / {{flagicon|North Korea}}
• Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG (550 km, Mach 0.65) {{flagicon|France}} / {{flagicon|United Kingdom}}{{cite web|title=SCALP EG / Storm Shadow / SCALP Naval / Black Shaheen / APACHE AP|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/apache-ap/#:~:text=SCALP%20EG%2F%20Storm%20Shadow%20Specifications&text=The%20missiles%20are%205.1%20m,250-400%20km.13.|website=CSIS Missile Threat}}
• Type 12 SSM (within 1000 km under development) {{flagicon|Japan}}
• Ya-Ali (700 km) {{flagicon|Iran}}
• Zarb (320 km) {{flagicon|Pakistan}}

These are subsonic missiles that weigh around {{convert|500|kg|0}} and have a range of up to {{convert|300|km|mi|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=August 2008}}

File:NSM PICT0001.JPG of the Norwegian Navy]]

Examples:

• Apache (100–140 km) {{flagicon|France}}
• AVMT-300 (300 km) {{flagicon|Brazil}}
• MICLA-BR (300 km) {{flagicon|Brazil}}{{cite news |title=FOTO: Caça F-5M voando com o míssil de cruzeiro MICLA-BR|url=https://www.aereo.jor.br/2019/10/01/foto-caca-f-5m-voando-com-o-missil-de-cruzeiro-micla-br|publisher=Poder Aéreo|language=pt|date=1 October 2019}}
• Hyunmoo-3 (over 300 km) shorter range {{flagicon|South Korea}}
• SSM-700K Haeseong (180+ km) {{flagicon|South Korea}}
• JFS-M (499 km) {{flagicon|Germany}}
• Kh-35 (130–300 km) {{flagicon|Russia}}, KN-19 Ks3/4 {{flagicon|North Korea}}
• Kh-59 (115–550 km) {{flagicon|Russia}}
• P-15 (40–80 km) {{flagicon|Russia}}, KN-1 {{flagicon|North Korea}}
• Nasr-1 {{flagicon|Iran}}
• Zafar (25 km) {{flagicon|Iran}}
• Noor {{flagicon|Iran}}
• Qader {{flagicon|Iran}}
• Naval Strike Missile (185–555 km) {{flagicon|Norway}}
• RBS-15 {{flagicon|Sweden}}
• Korshun {{flagicon|Ukraine}} – local derivative of Kh-55 and RK-55
• Neptune {{flagicon|Ukraine}}{{cite web |title=Ukraine Tests Advanced Subsonic Cruise Missile 'Neptune' |url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/21881 |website=Defense World |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=31 January 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180201082450/http://www.defenseworld.net/news/21881#.WnLO3-jP38A |archive-date=1 February 2018}}
• V-1 flying bomb (250 km) {{flagicon|Nazi Germany}}

File:Hsiung Feng II Anti-Ship Missile Display in Chengkungling 20111009a.jpg]]

File:Hsiung-Feng-2-sketch.svg

• Hsiung Feng II {{flagicon|Republic of China}}
• Wan Chien {{flagicon|Republic of China}}
• VCM-01 (100–300 km) {{flagicon|Vietnam}}
• Aist (100–300 km) {{flagicon|Belarus}}
• Marte (100+ km) {{flagicon|Italy}}
• Sea Killer export variant {{flagicon|Italy}}
• Otomat (180 km) {{flagicon|France}} / {{flagicon|Italy}}
• Otomat Mk2 E / Teseo Mk2/E (360 km) {{flagicon|Italy}}
• C-801 (40 km) {{flagicon|China}}
• C-802 (120–230 km) {{flagicon|China}}
• C-803 {{flagicon|China}}
• C-805 {{flagicon|China}}
• C-602 {{flagicon|China}}
• CM-602G {{flagicon|China}}
• Delilah missile (250 km) {{flagicon|Israel}}
• Gabriel IV (200 km) {{flagicon|Israel}}
• Popeye turbo ALCM (78 km) {{flagicon|Israel}}
• Sea Breaker (300 km) {{flagicon|Israel}}
• RGM-84 Harpoon (124–310 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• AGM-84E Standoff Land Attack Missile (110 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER (270 km) {{flagicon|United States}}
• Silkworm (100–500 km) {{flagicon|China}}
• SOM {{flagicon|Turkey}}{{cite web |title=Yerli seyir füzesi, 180 kilometreden hedefini vuracak – Hürriyet Gündem | date=4 June 2011 |url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/17954640.asp?gid=381 |publisher=Hurriyet.com.tr |access-date=13 February 2012}}{{cite web |title=Yerli seyir füzesi, 180 kilometreden hedefinin vuracak – Kirpi HABER Cesur | Özgür | Tarafsız Habercilik |url=http://www.kirpihaber.com/teknoloji-bilim/yerli-seyir-fuzesi-180-kilometreden-hedefinin-vuracak.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607033259/http://www.kirpihaber.com/teknoloji-bilim/yerli-seyir-fuzesi-180-kilometreden-hedefinin-vuracak.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-06-07 |publisher=Kirpihaber.com |access-date=13 February 2012}}
• Atmaca {{flagicon|Turkey}}
• Çakır {{flagicon|Turkey}}

File:AGM-129A - 2006 0306 b52 2lg.jpg being secured on a B-52H bomber]]

The most common mission for cruise missiles is to attack relatively high-value targets such as ships, command bunkers, bridges and dams.{{cite web|url=http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/tomahawk/|title=Raytheon: Tomahawk Cruise Missile|website=www.raytheon.com|access-date=2016-09-19}} Modern guidance systems permit accurate attacks.

{{As of|2001}}, the BGM-109 Tomahawk missile model has become a significant part of the United States naval arsenal. It gives ships and submarines a somewhat accurate, long-range, conventional land attack weapon. Each costs about US$1.99 million.{{cite web |title=FY 2017 Program Acquisition Costs by Weapon System - Tactical Tomahawk Cruise Missile |url=https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/defbudget/FY2017/FY2017_Weapons.pdf#page=63 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424113923/http://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2017/FY2017_Weapons.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-24 |url-status=live |website=comptroller.defense.gov}} Both the Tomahawk and the AGM-86 were used extensively during Operation Desert Storm. On 7 April 2017, during the Syrian Civil War, U.S. warships fired more than 50 cruise missiles into a Syrian airbase in retaliation for a Syrian chemical weapons attack against a rebel stronghold.{{cite web |title=US missiles blast Syria; Trump demands 'end the slaughter' |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-syria-ap-top-news-international-news-politics-de1b6e80a0cf4d84bca38835e9bb3310 |website=AP News|date=20 April 2021 }}

The United States Air Force (USAF) deploys an air-launched cruise missile, the AGM-86 ALCM. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is the exclusive delivery vehicle for the AGM-86 and AGM-129 ACM. Both missile types are configurable for either conventional or nuclear warheads.

The USAF adopted the AGM-86 for its bomber fleet while AGM-109 was adapted to launch from trucks and ships and adopted by the USAF and Navy. The truck-launched versions, and also the Pershing II and SS-20 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles, were later destroyed under the bilateral INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty with the USSR.

The British Royal Navy (RN) also operates cruise missiles, specifically the U.S.-made Tomahawk, used by the RN's nuclear submarine fleet. UK conventional warhead versions were first fired in combat by the RN in 1999, during the Kosovo War (the United States fired cruise missiles in 1991). The Royal Air Force uses the Storm Shadow cruise missile on its Typhoon and previously its Tornado GR4 aircraft. It is also used by France, where it is known as SCALP EG, and carried by the Armée de l'Air's Mirage 2000 and Rafale aircraft.

File:BRAHMOS Launcher.JPG's BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles mounted on Mobile Autonomous Launchers (MAL)]]

India and Russia have jointly developed the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos. There are three versions of the Brahmos: ship/land-launched, air-launched, and sub-launched. The ship/land-launched version was operational as of late 2007. The Brahmos have the capability to attack targets on land. Russia also continues to operate other cruise missiles: the SS-N-12 Sandbox, SS-N-19 Shipwreck, SS-N-22 Sunburn and SS-N-25 Switchblade. Germany and Spain operate the Taurus missile while Pakistan has made the Babur missile Both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have designed several cruise missile variants, such as the well-known C-802, some of which are capable of carrying biological, chemical, nuclear, and conventional warheads.

{{see also|China and weapons of mass destruction}}

China has the CJ-10 land attack cruise missile which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.{{Cite web|last=Bommakanti|first=Kartik|date=December 4, 2020|title=China's Cruise Missile Capabilities: Implications for the Indian Army and Air Force|url=https://www.orfonline.org/research/chinas-cruise-missile-capabilities/?amp#|url-status=live|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=Observer Research Foundation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204151239/https://www.orfonline.org/research/chinas-cruise-missile-capabilities/?amp |archive-date=4 December 2020 }} Additionally, China appears to have tested a hypersonic cruise missile in August 2021, a claim it denies.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-58953352|title=China Denies Testing Nuclear-Capable Hypersonic Cruise Missile|work=BBC News |date=18 October 2021 |access-date=Oct 18, 2021}}

{{see also|France and weapons of mass destruction}}

The French Force de Frappe nuclear forces include both land and sea-based bombers with Air-Sol Moyenne Portée (ASMP) high-speed medium-range nuclear cruise missiles. Two models are in use, ASMP and a newer ASMP-Amelioré (ASMP-A), which was developed in 1999. An estimated 40 to 50 were produced.Missile Defense Project, "Air-Sol Moyenne Portée (ASMP/ ASMP-A)", Missile Threat, Center for Strategic and International Studies, November 30, 2016, last modified June 15, 2018, https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/asmp/ .James O’Halloran, IHS Jane's Weapons: Strategic 2015-2016, 2015, (United Kingdom: IHS), 134-135.

{{see also|India and weapons of mass destruction}}

India in 2017 successfully flight-tested its indigenous Nirbhay ('Fearless') land-attack cruise missile, which can deliver nuclear warheads to a strike range of 1,000 km.{{cite news |title=India successfully tests its first nuclear-capable cruise missile |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-successfully-tests-its-first-nuclear-capable-cruise-missile/articleshow/61550465.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=7 November 2017}} Nirbhay had been flight-tested successfully.{{cite news |title=Nuclear-capable Nirbhay cruise missile's test fails for the fourth time |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nuclear-capable-nirbhay-cruise-missiles-test-fails-for-the-fourth-time/articleshow/56105444.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=21 December 2016 |access-date=21 December 2016}}

India currently operates 7 variants of Brahmos cruise missile operational range of 300-1000 km.

India is currently developing hypersonic BrahMos-II which is going to be the fastest cruise missile.

{{see also|Israel and weapons of mass destruction}}

The Israel Defense Forces reportedly deploy the medium-range air-launched Popeye Turbo ALCM and the Popeye Turbo SLCM medium-long range cruise missile with nuclear warheads on Dolphin class submarines.{{Cite book |last=Udaya Chandar |first=Y |title=The Modern Weaponry of the World's Armed Forces |publisher=Notion Press |year=2017 |isbn=9781946983794}}

{{see also|Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction}}

Pakistan currently has four cruise missile systems: the air-launched Ra'ad-I and its enhanced version Ra'ad-II; the ground and submarine launched Babur;{{cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/hatf-7/|title=Hatf 7 "Babur" – Missile Threat|website=CSIS.org|access-date=26 July 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/01/south-asian-strategic-stability-and-pakistans-babur-3-submarine-launched-cruise-missile/|title=South Asian Strategic Stability and Pakistan's Babur-3 Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile|first1=Ankit |last1=Panda |first2=Prashanth |last2=Parameswaran|work=The Diplomat|access-date=2017-12-01|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38563330|title=Pakistan announces cruise missile success|date=2017|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-12-01|language=en-GB}} ship-launched Harbah missile{{Cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/01/pakistan-tests-an-indigenously-developed-anti-ship-cruise-missile/|title=Pakistan Tests An Indigenously Developed Anti-Ship Cruise Missile|first=Ankit |last=Panda|work=The Diplomat|access-date=2018-01-13|language=en-US}} and surface launched Zarb missile.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1251049|title=Pakistan Navy inducts coastal anti-ship 'Zarb' missile after successful test|last=Haider|first=Mateen|date=9 April 2016|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2018-01-17|language=en-US}} Both, Ra'ad and Babur, can carry nuclear warheads between 10 and 25 kt, and deliver them to targets at a range of up to {{convert|300|km|abbr=on}} and {{convert|450|km|abbr=on}} respectively.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nuclear-capable-nirbhay-cruise-missiles-test-fails-for-the-fourth-time/articleshow/56105444.cms|title=Nirbhay: Nuclear-capable Nirbhay cruise missile's test fails for the fourth time | India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=21 December 2016 }} Babur has been in service with the Pakistan Army since 2010, and Pakistan Navy since 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/pakistans-babur-and-raad-cruise-missiles-strategic-implications-for-india-3681.html|title=Pakistan's Babur and Ra'ad Cruise Missiles: Strategic Implications for India|last1=Mason|first1=Shane|website=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies|access-date=20 January 2016}}

{{see also|Russia and weapons of mass destruction}}

File:3M-54E1.jpg missile]]

Russia has Kh-55SM cruise missiles, with a range similar to the United States' AGM-129 range of 3000 km, but are able to carry a more powerful warhead of 200 kt. They are equipped with a TERCOM system which allows them to cruise at an altitude lower than 110 meters at subsonic speeds while obtaining a CEP accuracy of 15 meters with an inertial navigation system. They are air-launched from either Tupolev Tu-95s, Tupolev Tu-22Ms, or Tupolev Tu-160s, each able to carry 16 for the Tu-95, 12 for the Tu-160, and 4 for the Tu-22M. A stealth version of the missile, the Kh-101 is in development. It has similar qualities as the Kh-55, except that its range has been extended to 5,000 km, is equipped with a 1,000 kg conventional warhead, and has stealth features which reduce its probability of intercept.{{cite web |title=Kh-101 – Russian and Soviet Nuclear Forces |url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/bomber/kh-101.htm |publisher=Fas.org |access-date=13 February 2012}}

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the most recent cruise missile developed was the Kalibr missile which entered production in the early 1990s and was officially inducted into the Russian arsenal in 1994. However, it only saw its combat debut on 7 October 2015, in Syria as a part of the Russian military campaign in Syria. The missile has been used 14 more times in combat operations in Syria since its debut.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Soviet Union was attempting to develop cruise missiles. In this short time frame, the Soviet Union was working on nearly ten different types of cruise missiles. However, due to resources, most of the initial types of cruise missiles developed by the Soviet Union were Sea-Launched Cruise Missiles or Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles (SLCMs). The SS-N-1 cruise missile was developed to have different configurations to be fired from a submarine or a ship. However, as time progressed, the Soviet Union began to work on air-launched cruise missiles as well (ALCM). These ACLM missiles were typically delivered via bombers designated as "Blinders" or "Backfire". The missiles in this configuration were called the AS-1, and AS-2 with eventual new variants with more development time. The main purpose of Soviet-based cruise missiles was to have defense and offensive mechanisms against enemy ships; in other words, most of the Soviet cruise missiles were anti-ship missiles. In the 1980s the Soviet Union had developed an arsenal of cruise missiles nearing 600 platforms which consisted of land, sea, and air delivery systems.{{cite journal|last=Arkin|first=William|date=May 1983|title=Soviet Cruise Missile Programs|journal=Arms Control Today|volume=13|issue=4|pages=3–4|jstor=23623103}}

{{see also|United States and weapons of mass destruction}}

File:Agm-129 acm.jpg of the United States Air Force]]

The United States has deployed nine nuclear cruise missiles at one time or another.

• MGM-1 Matador ground-launched missile, out of service
• MGM-13 Mace ground-launched missile, out of service
• SSM-N-8 Regulus submarine-launched missile, out of service
• SM-62 Snark ground-launched missile, out of service
• AGM-28 Hound Dog air-launched missile, out of service
• BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missile, out of service
• AGM-129 ACM air-launched missile, out of service{{cite web|url=https://www.tinker.af.mil/News/story/id/123299303/ |title=Cruise missile career comes to a close |publisher=U.S. Air Force, Tinker Air Force Base public affairs |date=24 April 2012 |access-date=27 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220061518/http://www.tinker.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123299303 |archive-date=20 December 2013}}
• AGM-86 ALCM air-launched cruise missile, 350 to 550 missiles and W80 warheads still in service
• BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile in nuclear submarine-, surface ship-, and ground-launched models, nuclear models out of service but warheads kept in reserve.

Currently, cruise missiles are among the most expensive of single-use weapons, up to several million dollars apiece. One consequence of this is that its users face difficult choices in target allocation, to avoid expending the missiles on targets of low value. For instance, during the 2001 strikes on Afghanistan the United States attacked targets of very low monetary value with cruise missiles, which led many to question the efficiency of the weapon. However, proponents of the cruise missile counter that the weapon can not be blamed for poor target selection, and the same argument applies to other types of UAVs: they are cheaper than human pilots when total training and infrastructure costs are taken into account, not to mention the risk of loss of personnel. As demonstrated in Libya in 2011 and prior conflicts, cruise missiles are much more difficult to detect and intercept than other aerial assets (reduced radar cross-section, infrared and visual signature due to smaller size), suiting them to attacks against static air defense systems.

• Affordable Weapon System
• Cruise missile submarine
• Eugene Vielle (pioneer of technology that led to the Cruise missile)
• Expendable launch system
• List of cruise missiles
• List of rocket aircraft
• Lists of weapons
• Low Cost Miniature Cruise Missile
• NATO reporting name (has lists of various Soviet missiles)
• Weapon of mass destruction

{{reflist}}

• {{commons category-inline}}
• [https://fas.org/nuke/intro/cm/index.html An introduction to cruise missiles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411115104/http://fas.org/nuke/intro/cm/index.html |date=11 April 2016 }} — From the website of the Federation of American Scientists (FAS)
• [https://missilethreat.csis.org/ Missile Threat]: A Project of the Center for Strategic and International Studies

{{Missile types}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cruise Missile}}

Category:Missile types

Category:Low flying