Laser-guided missiles represent a significant advancement in precision weaponry. Unlike TV/IR-guided bombs that rely on visual sensors, laser-guided systems leverage laser technology to accurately strike targets. This article will delve into the mechanics of how laser-guided missiles work, their advantages, and limitations.
Laser-guided smart bombs operate on a different principle than their TV/IR-guided counterparts. Instead of a video camera, these bombs feature a laser seeker, an array of photodiodes specifically designed to detect a particular frequency of laser light.
For a laser-guided missile to effectively engage its target, a separate operator, either on the ground or airborne, must “paint” the intended target with a high-intensity laser beam. This laser beam reflects off the target, and the missile’s laser seeker picks up this reflected energy.
The laser designator employs a unique pulse pattern, crucial for the missile’s guidance system. Prior to launch, the launching aircraft’s computer transmits this specific pulse pattern to the missile’s control system via an electronic connection. This pre-programmed pulse pattern ensures that the missile only responds to laser energy with the correct signature. The control system is programmed to steer the missile so that the reflected laser beam consistently hits near the center of the photodiode array, guiding it precisely towards the designated target.
Both TV/IR-guided and laser-guided systems offer high accuracy, but they share a common vulnerability: the need for continuous visual contact with the target. Obstructions such as cloud cover, smoke screens, or other visual impediments can disrupt the missile’s guidance, causing it to deviate from its intended course. This limitation has spurred the development of more advanced guidance systems that are less reliant on visual conditions.
