the cruise missiles ancestor? ww1!

the ww1 sperry aerial torpedo..you can see the likeness
Curtiss / Sperry Aerial Torpedo - The Cradle of Aviation Museum

 

And let us not forget the "Kettering Bug", the auto system the V1 employed with great effect.

See:

Kettering Bug

 

thanks clint...

 

Taking the usual side and fall winds into account, how were these 40hp “cruise missiles” ever to hit a pre-designated target?

I find it hard to believe that an "auto pilot" system in these days could have leveled out these occurences. Especially since these wind issues were impossible to be determined over enemy territory 50-80 km away.

Propably the first cruise missile launcher would have been the Roman Ballistas with the Javalin being the cruise missile and those buggers had a fantastic accuracy too.

Regards
Kruska

 

I remember Goliath getting one in the eye from one of the first cruise type implements.
Talking of cruise type ordinance, does anyone have any info on whether we still have cruise nukes in our armanents.

 

I would imagine we do, despite what the government might tell the public...pretty useful to launch them from a submarine afterall!