Cruise missiles, up until recently, cost over US$1 million apiece. Aviation Week and other sources report that the price is falling to about $100,000 apiece. That is one reason why the Pentagon now ranks cruise missiles the number one proliferation threat.
Meanwhile, no one knows how to shoot the things down. Cruise missiles fly too low for most radar systems and they can manoeuvre at high speeds. Knocking out or evading a smart cruise missile is a lot like trying to dodge a bullet - except these bullets can track you when you move. No proposed Star Wars shield ever had the means to protect against such 'air-breathing' threats. The free market in computer modules may well bring the real cost of cruise missiles down to about $10,000 apiece - less than a car. All countries - and some non-countries - will have them in great stockpiles, and their machine IQs will rise as chip densities keep doubling every 18 months. Then it will be cheaper to attack than defend. This will no doubt help to start some of the 'smart wars' of the next few decades. Imagine Israel trying to fend off swarms of Arab smart cruise missiles tipped with DNA gas.
Most countries will try to enforce some sort of missile control as they now enforce gun control. The problem is, you can buy most of the computer and guidance modules off the shelf for a few dollars. These modules account for the most lethality, because they account for the machine IQ. Right now you can build your own cruise missile with a Cessna, a hand held GPS navigator, a video camera, and some TNT.
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