air-launched cruise missile
Quick Summary
An air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) is a type of guided missile designed to be launched from an aircraft. It is a low-flying, jet-propelled weapon that travels at relatively slow speeds to its target, making it difficult to detect by radar. The ALCM was developed by the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s, with precursors like the German V-1 missile from World War II.1
Key features of ALCMs include:
* Guidance: They use inertial navigation systems updated by terrain contour matching (Tercom) to navigate accurately.1
* Warhead: They can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads.1
* Range: The U.S. ALCM has a range of approximately 2,500 km (1,500 miles) and was designed for deployment on B-52 bombers.1
* Stealth: While subsonic speeds can make them vulnerable once detected, advancements aim to incorporate stealth technologies to further evade defenses.2
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