Sea launch cruise missiles receive an initial thrust from a detachable booster before onboard systems take over. Cruise missiles can also be air launched by US B-52 bombers and, theoretically, from land.

Once airborne, it releases its wings and switches on navigational and communication systems.

The missile is guided at this early stage by satellite Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and onboard calculations based on its movements since launch.

US cruise missiles are designed to hug the terrain. They are difficult to stop, especially if launched in batches, due to their relatively small size and high speeds.