The United States is one of the world’s most powerful countries, and as such, it has a vast arsenal of weapons. One weapon that has received a lot of attention in recent years is the cruise missile.
But just how many cruise missiles does the US have? Let’s take a closer look.
What is a Cruise Missile?
A cruise missile is a guided missile that can be launched from land, sea, or air. Its primary function is to deliver a high explosive warhead to a specific Target with great accuracy. Cruise missiles are used for both defensive and offensive purposes and are often considered to be more precise than other types of missiles.
How Many Cruise Missiles Does the US Have?
It’s difficult to determine precisely how many cruise missiles the US currently has in its arsenal as this information is classified. However, according to various sources, including Jane’s Defense Weekly and the Federation of American Scientists, the US has an estimated inventory of over 5,000 cruise missiles.
Types of Cruise Missiles
The US military has several different types of cruise missiles in its inventory. These include:
- Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM): This is one of the most well-known types of US cruise missile. It can be launched from ships or submarines and can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads.
- Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM): This missile can be launched from aircraft and has a range of up to 600 miles.
- AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER): This is an upgraded version of the JASSM with a range of up to 1,000 miles.
- RGM-109B Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile (TASM): This is a variant of the Tomahawk missile designed for use against ships.
Uses of Cruise Missiles
Cruise missiles can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Striking enemy Targets with great precision and accuracy.
- Deterrence against potential enemies.
- Retaliation in response to an attack.
- Gathering intelligence by flying over enemy territory without being detected.
Conclusion
While the exact number of cruise missiles in the US inventory is classified, it’s clear that the US has a significant number of these weapons. Cruise missiles are an essential part of the US military arsenal and are used for a variety of purposes. As technology continues to advance, it’s likely that we will see new types of cruise missiles developed in the future.