Some long-range missiles use retractable wings to fly like high-speed robotic gliders
Unlike traditional rockets, Tomahawk cruise missiles utilize retractable 8.5-foot wings to glide through the air, allowing them to travel over 1,000 miles with the efficiency of a high-speed robotic aircraft.
The Tomahawk cruise missile functions more like a pilotless glider than a standard rocket. Upon launch, it deploys a set of retractable wings that reduce aerodynamic drag by 70 percent compared to ballistic trajectories. This allows the missile to hug the terrain at altitudes as low as 100 feet while traveling at subsonic speeds of 550 mph.
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