Missile guidance

Missile guidance is the process of determining and correcting a missile’s path toward a target or along a prescribed route. It combines sensing, navigation, and control.

Guidance system: A system that determines a vehicle’s intended path and directs it along that path. Missile guidance is one specialized form of a guidance system.
Command guidance: A guidance method in which an external controller tracks the missile and target, then sends steering commands. It places the guidance decision outside the missile.
Active radar homing: A homing method in which the missile carries a radar transmitter and receiver to detect its target. It contrasts with methods that rely on an external radar to illuminate the target.
Cruise missile: A missile that flies within the atmosphere for much of its route, typically using aerodynamic lift. Its long atmospheric route makes navigation and terrain-based updates especially relevant.
Circular error probable: A statistical measure of weapon accuracy: the radius within which half of impacts are expected to fall. It summarizes how guidance performance translates into impact precision.
Seeker: A sensor assembly that detects a target or reference signal and provides measurements for guidance. Its observations supply target information for many homing missiles.
Beam-riding guidance: A method in which a missile follows a directed beam, such as radar or laser energy, toward a target. The missile follows a reference beam rather than independently homing on the target.
Semi-active radar homing: A homing method in which the missile detects radar energy reflected from a target illuminated by an external transmitter. It depends on external illumination, unlike fully active radar homing.
Ballistic missile: A missile that follows a largely ballistic trajectory after powered flight, with a warhead descending toward its target. Its flight profile differs from sustained aerodynamic guidance along a low-altitude route.
Electronic countermeasure: A technique or device that disrupts, deceives, or denies an adversary’s electronic systems. Jamming and deception can interfere with guidance sensors and external control links.

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