l+20. The concept of the long-range cruise missile hol-ds the potential of a radicalqual-itative developnent in nuclear plat fonrc for strategic and. theatre use, hrrendeployed from long-range bomber airc"aft, they l,'ould tend. prinarily to enhance thenuclear strike capability of the bornber, because the survivability of the nuclear warheads vou]-d be increased when delivered by these means. Deployment of thesenissi.les fron nobile ]and laulchers and arl- forrs of sea-based. platforns r,r'ould. arso ad.d significantly to the flexibility of the super-power arsenals. rn an indireetvay, the devel"opment of dual--purpose platforns may also contribute to nucLearprolifers.tion as they rright provide a non-nuclear-weapon state with d.i"ect access toa potentially highly survivabLe mode for a nucl-ear-veapon system. l+21. Deployment of cruise missiles arso raises the possibility of the more directinvolvement in nuclear conflict of third parties, i.ncluding non-nuclear-weaponstates. An essentia-l quality of the cruise rnissile is its ability to follow theterrain cl-osely at subsonic speed.s at lov altitud.es. Ttrese characteristics suggestthat the missile is more like1y than other modes of delivery of strategic forces totraverse the air space of states \rhich nay 1ie across its flight-path. states inthis category, if they were non-combatants, wou1d. be faced wittr the prospect ofde factc invoLvement in the nuclear conflict. To protest or take action against anytransgression of air space nay risk conflict with the State launching the rnissiles.Not to do so nay risk conflict with the State to whicb the nissile is directed.
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the strategic and military implications of the development and deployment of long-range cruise missiles, highlighting their potential to enhance nuclear strike capabilities, increase survivability, and provide flexibility to superpower arsenals. The text also touches on the possibility of non-nuclear-weapon states being involved in nuclear conflicts. Given the focus on military technology and strategic implications, it seems likely that the text is related to the field of defense and security.

**Category**
Science and technology, Defense and Security