How do countries defend against things like cruise missiles? They seem to be quite a popular offensive weapon, but what kind of defensive mechanisms exist?<p>Can Patriot Missiles shoot down cruise missiles? What about some kind of electronic or GPS jamming to mess up the missile guidance system? Or are cities left to fire anti-aircraft weapons and hope they get lucky?
> How do countries defend against things like cruise missiles?<p>Cruise missiles are designed to resist efforts to thwart them. If GPS is available and reliable, it's used, but if not, such a missile switches over to inertial guidance and terrain matching. A modern cruise missile is a formidable threat.<p>> Can Patriot Missiles shoot down cruise missiles?<p>Not with any reliability. Cruise missiles are too fast and too stealthy.<p>> Or are cities left to fire anti-aircraft weapons and hope they get lucky?<p>That's about it.