flying bomb
Unmanned airborne weapon
A flying bomb is an unmanned aircraft loaded with explosives, designed to crash into its target.
The term most often refers to the German V-1 rockets launched against Britain in World War II—early cruise missiles that made a distinctive buzzing sound before their engines cut out and they fell.
The flying bombs killed thousands of Londoners in 1944.
Early cruise missile
- doodlebugPit-digging insect larva
- World War IISecond global military conflict
- BlitzSwift intensive attack
- LondonEngland's capital city
1944 · Nazi Germany · Luftwaffe · Allies · Pas-de-Calais · vengeance weapon · Antwerp · retaliation
Cyclic combustion aircraft engine
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
- autopilotAutomated vehicle guidance system
- guidance systemDirection-maintaining technology
- airframeAircraft's structural body
catapult · propulsion · pilotless · compressed air · fuel system · magnetic compass · mass production
Munition's explosive section
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- payloadCarried freight or charge
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- detonationExplosive ignition event
blast · casualties · fatalities · devastation · destruction · crater · shockwave · rubble
Weapons targeting airborne threats
- SpitfireLegendary British interceptor
- MustangFord sports car model
- tippingPaying beyond the bill
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
Self-propelled flying weapon
- precursorSomething that comes first
- unmannedHaving no human aboard
- psychological warfareNon-violent enemy demoralization tactics
- V-2German ballistic missile
V-1
Early cruise missile
- doodlebugPit-digging insect larva
- World War IISecond global military conflict
- BlitzSwift intensive attack
London · 1944 · Nazi Germany · Luftwaffe · Allies · Pas-de-Calais · vengeance weapon · Antwerp · retaliation · barrage
pulsejet
Cyclic combustion aircraft engine
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
- autopilotAutomated vehicle guidance system
- guidance systemDirection-maintaining technology
airframe · catapult · propulsion · pilotless · compressed air · fuel system · magnetic compass · mass production
warhead
Munition's explosive section
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- payloadCarried freight or charge
- impactForceful contact or consequence
detonation · blast · casualties · fatalities · devastation · destruction · crater · shockwave · rubble · wreckage
anti-aircraft
Weapons targeting airborne threats
cruise missile
Self-propelled flying weapon
- precursorSomething that comes first
- unmannedHaving no human aboard
- psychological warfareNon-violent enemy demoralization tactics
flying bombguided missile
Steerable self-propelled weapon
smart bomb · cruise missile · laser-guided bomb · drone strike · surgical strike
flying bombanti-aircraft gun
Weapon for shooting aircraft
interceptor · Patriot missile · Iron Dome · bomb shelter · air raid siren
fly, flying, flown, flies, flier, flyer, flight, bomb, bombs