Intro to Precision-Guided Munitions

Question 1

Discuss the fundamentals of guidance systems, types, phases, and launch zones.

Answer 1

Fundamentals of Guidance Systems:
Munition guidance system consists of attitude control system and flight path control system.

Types of Guidance Systems:
Control, Homing, and Self-contained guidance.

Phases of Guidance:
Launch, Midcourse, and Terminal.

Launch Zones:
Launch acceptability region (LAR), In-range LAR, In-zone LAR.

Question 2

Discuss the basic concept-of-operations for the tactical air-to-surface missiles, LGB, and GPS-aided munitions.

Answer 2

LGB:

-Target is designated with laser.
-Weapon defects reflected laser energy and guides to target.
—seeker and designator must remain LOS.
—target must be capable of reflecting laser energy.
—atmospheric effects can attenuate energy.

GPS Aided:

• Weapon is released and will autonomously guide to its target, regardless of weather.
• Guidance is accomplished via a coupling of an accurate GPS with an INS.
• The GCU provides accurate guidance in both GPS aided INS modes of operation and INS only modes of operations.

Question 3

Discuss the factors that determine the delivery accuracy of GPS-aided munitions

Answer 3

(Nav) Navigation errors - position handoff and IMU velocities (INS only) or GPS errors

(G&C) Guidance and control errors - Weapon responsiveness to guidance commands

(TLE) Target location error - Accuracy of target coordinates

Question 4

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of tactical air-to-surface missiles, LGB and GPS-aided munitions.

Answer 4

1. Tactical air-to-surface missiles (slide 40)

Advantages: precision accuracy, standoff from small-arms and AAA threats, relatively simple to use, can hit moving targets

Disadvantages: weather must permit target acquisition before launch, battlefield obscurants may impede guidance, relatively small warheads

2. LGB (slide 69)

Advantages: standoff from small-arms and AAA threats, relatively simple to use, man-in-the-loop to impact, accurate weapon with real-time hit assessment, can hit moving targets

Disadvantages: shorter standoff ranges relative to boosted weapons, requires close-in designator support, LOS for weapon and designator must be accommodated, weatjer/battlefield obscurants may impede guidance

3. GPS-aided munitions (slide 124)

Advantages: standoff from small-arms, AAA and short-range SAM threats, adverse weather and battlefield obscurants capable, multiple delivery platforms available, multiple weapons/aimpoints per pass

Disadvantages: no man-in-the-loop after release, GPS jamming may impede guidance, cannot hit moving targets