"Some extra VTOL Aircraft or even Missile carrying Helicopters would seem one of the Alternatives."
Some obvious advantages of the chosen approach vs. the one you mentioned are the following:
- total independence from weather conditions
- minimum reaction time (projectile moves much faster than a cruise missile and much-much faster than a VTOL or heli)
- no countermeasures currently exist to hit a flying (big) bullet (while a cruise missile is an easy target to say nothing of a VTOL or heli)
- VTOLs and/or helis onboard would ruin the whole concept of stealth as they shine like a full Moon on a radar screen, plus require extra space, personnel, etc.
- the projectiles are not cheap but still cheaper than Tomahawks in a (foreseen) damage equivalent if produced in a relatively large number (not in hundreds like now) and if LockMart cuts bonuses for their management :-)
Last edited by A_Van; 13th Nov 2016 at 14:01.