Cruise Missiles and Modern War

<p>This study examines how the proliferation of technologies has remedied the historical shortcomings of cruise missiles to produce a weapon that has significant military capabilities. The argument in this study is that cruise missiles are more cost-effective weapons than manned aircraft and ballistic missiles. It argues furthermore that the proliferation of cruise missile systems and technologies will transform cruise missiles into important and perhaps decisive weapons in the twenty-first century.The second theme of this study is that the United States must develop the ability to defend itself against a cruise missile attack. For a number of reasons it is unlikely that U. S. defenses could entirely defeat such an attack in view of the difficulties of detecting and engaging a mass attack with cruise missiles that a determined enemy could use to overwhelm the defenses. Bearing in mind reasonable estimates of the numbers of cruise missiles that states could possess this study concludes with the argument that the optimal strategy for an adversary against which the United States must defend itself is an attack against U. S. logistics and supply centers. This represents the nature of the asymmetric attacks that the United States will confront in the twenty-first century.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>