Definition

1. Noun:
   • An unmanned, self-propelled guided weapon system: A cruise missile is a type of missile that flies at a relatively constant speed, typically within the atmosphere, and uses an aerodynamic lift to follow a guided, often low-altitude, flight path to its target. It is designed to deliver a warhead over long distances with high precision.
   • A self-contained bomb integrated into an unmanned air vehicle: The system combines a propulsion unit, guidance system, and explosive payload into a single, autonomous unit that does not require a human pilot.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The military deployed a cruise missile to strike the distant command center.
  • Modern cruise missiles can navigate using terrain contour matching and GPS.
  • The treaty placed limits on the range of nuclear-armed cruise missiles.

Advanced Usage

• "Sea-launched cruise missile (SLCM)": A cruise missile launched from a naval vessel or submarine.

  • The submarine was equipped with long-range sea-launched cruise missiles.

• "Air-launched cruise missile (ALCM)": A cruise missile launched from an aircraft.

  • The bomber's primary weapon was an air-launched cruise missile.

• "Terrain contour matching (TERCOM)": A guidance system often used by cruise missiles to follow the landscape.

  • The cruise missile's accuracy relied on advanced terrain contour matching.

Variants and Related Words

• Cruiser (n): A type of warship or a person/vehicle that travels leisurely. (Note: This is a distinct word, not a variant of the missile, but shares the etymological root of "to cruise".)
• Missile (n): A general term for any object thrown or projected to strike a target, especially a weapon.
• Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (n): A broader category of aircraft without a human pilot, which includes drones used for reconnaissance, not necessarily armed as self-contained bombs.

Synonyms

• Guided missile: A general term for a missile that is steered during its flight.
• Standoff weapon: A weapon that can be launched from a distance, reducing risk to the launching platform.

Related Phrases

• To cruise: (Verb) To travel smoothly at a moderate or efficient speed. This is the verbal root from which "cruise missile" derives its name, describing its flight characteristic.
• Cruise altitude: The altitude at which a missile or aircraft maintains level flight.
• Low-observable cruise missile: A cruise missile designed with stealth technology to avoid detection.

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically refers to the complete, integrated weapon system. It is not used to describe just any bomb or just any unmanned aircraft (drone). The key defining features are its sustained, powered flight and internal guidance to a specific target.
• It is distinct from ballistic missiles, which are powered only for the initial part of their flight and then follow a high, arching ballistic trajectory.

Noun

1. an unmanned aircraft that is a self-contained bomb