Semi OT - Cruise Missiles

[kato13]

Was thinking about the advantages/disadvantages of cruise missiles versus SLBMs. Does anyone here know if cruise missiles can reach an optimum burst altitude for a medium sized (150kt) nuclear warhead. I don't think that most long range cruise missiles would have a rapid climb rate. Also during such a climb interception would probably be much easier. Therefore my opinion is that most cruise missile nuclear attacks would end up being nearly ground bursts.

Anyone have any information/opinions on this.

[Matt Wiser]

Given the likely targets for cruise missiles (AGM-129, ALCM, GLCM, and TLAM-N), they'd likely be ground bursts. Things like command bunkers, ICBM silos and launch control centers, sub pens, etc. would require ground bursts or near-ground bursts to do the job. A W-80 or W-84 warhead (200 KT) would be good enough given the accuracy of such missiles.

[kato13]

I kind of thought that that was the case. I guess I am just surprised at myself for never thinking of that limitation of cruise missiles before.