abstract:An air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) is a cruise missile that is launched from an aircraft. Current versions are typically standoff weapons which are used to attack predetermined land targets with conventional or nuclear payloads.
Given the persistent problems that may compromise the future ability of the B-1 to penetrate those defenses and the uncertain political fate of the B-2 bomber, retaining the right to deploy a sizeable and technologically competitive U.S. air-launched cruisemissile force is imperative.