Nuke Blast Simulator

Weapons & delivery systems

Cruise Missile

A self-propelled jet- or rocket-powered missile that flies a low, terrain-following trajectory to a target.

Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles fly at low altitude using GPS or terrain-contour matching for navigation. Some carry nuclear warheads (e.g., the AGM-86 ALCM with the W80 warhead). They are slower than ICBMs but harder to detect because they fly under radar.

Related terms

ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile)
A long-range ballistic missile (range > 5,500 km) designed to deliver nuclear warheads between continents.
Warhead
The explosive payload of a missile, bomb, or other weapon system; for nuclear weapons, the package containing the fissile or fusion material.
See the full Nuclear Weapons Glossary.