What kind of flight surfaces do cruise missiles typically have?

Cruise missiles are generally designed to maintain a stable and controlled flight path over long distances, similar to traditional aircraft. They usually feature wings that provide lift and are often equipped with aerodynamic surfaces that resemble those found on airplanes, though they may not possess the full range of control surfaces like ailerons or rudders that are standard on manned aircraft.

In many designs, cruise missiles can lack certain control surfaces such as ailerons or vertical stabilizers, which may be absent due to the different operational requirements and flight characteristics needed for sustained flight at a subsonic or supersonic speed. Instead, they often rely on other means, such as thrust vectoring or smaller control surfaces, to achieve the necessary maneuverability without the complexity that full conventional aircraft control surfaces provide.

Comparing this to the other options, while some missiles might feature vertical stabilizers, the presence of only vertical stabilizers does not encompass the typical wing structure and control philosophy used in most cruise missile designs. Fixed wings without control surfaces would severely limit the missile's capability to maneuver, which is not desirable for a weapon intended for precision targeting. In contrast, fully active control surfaces like those on a fighter jet would be excessive for the mission profile of a cruise missile, which