A barrier for providing defense against attack from airborne cruise missiles includes a buoyant lighter than air structure. A curtain is suspended from structure and depends from the structure to a level approximately even with the surface. The barrier is deployed across a path identified as a potential attack path for an incoming threat. An incoming missile strikes the curtain which is adapted such that at least a portion of the curtain separates from the barrier and envelopes or entangles the incoming missile. The portion of the curtain covers the flight control planes of the missile and deprives the missile of lift. The missile falls to the surface short of its intended target. The intended target may be a ship which may deploy the barrier at a selected distance from the ship along a determined path of attack.