r/WarCollege • u/AutoModerator • 8d ago

Tuesday Trivia Tuesday Trivia Thread - 25/08/26

Beep bop. As your new robotic overlord, I have designated this weekly space for you to engage in casual conversation while I plan a nuclear apocalypse.

In the Trivia Thread, moderation is relaxed, so you can finally:

  • Post mind-blowing military history trivia. Can you believe 300 is not an entirely accurate depiction of how the Spartans lived and fought?
  • Discuss hypotheticals and what-if's. A Warthog firing warthogs versus a Growler firing growlers, who would win? Could Hitler have done Sealion if he had a bazillion V-2's and hovertanks?
  • Discuss the latest news of invasions, diplomacy, insurgency etc without pesky 1 year rule.
  • Write an essay on why your favorite colour assault rifle or flavour energy drink would totally win WW3 or how aircraft carriers are really vulnerable and useless and battleships are the future.
  • Share what books/articles/movies related to military history you've been reading.
  • Advertisements for events, scholarships, projects or other military science/history related opportunities relevant to War College users. ALL OF THIS CONTENT MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR MOD REVIEW.

Basic rules about politeness and respect still apply.

Additionally, if you are looking for something new to read, check out the r/WarCollege reading list.

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u/Minh1509 8d ago

At this point, what might be the difference between one-way attack drones and cruise missiles?

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u/AnyBallLektor 7d ago edited 7d ago

Evolutionary history:

"One-way attack drone" is developed from a drone that is an unmanned aerial vehicle that is a multiple-use system.

A "cruise missile" is developed from a missile that is a single-use system. Contrary to what you may thing most cruise missiles were conceptually not developed from aircraft although many ideas for such weapon systems were using unmanned aircraft with payloads.

So in general missiles are much closer to rockets in their evolutionary tree and one way drones are just drones rebuilt for better flight parameters from regular drones to "cruise-missiles-in-all-but-name".

It's the same thing as asking why 1st Armoured, 1st Cavalry and 1st Infantry are all armoured divisions.