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Under the Radar, Iran's Cruise Missile Capabilities Advance
(War on the Rocks) Shahryar Pasandideh - 18 Iranian-origin drones and at least seven cruise missiles were used in the recent attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. Iran has been quietly building up its cruise missile capabilities for over a decade, advancing under the proverbial radar. A cruise missile is simply an unmanned aircraft used to attack a pre-programmed ground target. Because cruise missiles typically fly at low altitudes and are smaller than manned combat aircraft, they are generally difficult to detect with radar. Whereas ballistic missiles fly on predictable trajectories, cruise missiles fly on flexible flight paths that helps them evade air defense systems. Cruise missiles are also relatively inexpensive.