guided munitions
Steerable explosive projectiles
Guided munitions are weapons—bombs, missiles, or projectiles—equipped with systems that steer them toward targets after launch.
Unlike unguided or "dumb" munitions that follow a ballistic path, guided munitions use GPS, lasers, radar, or infrared homing to adjust course in flight.
The military shifted to guided munitions to reduce civilian casualties.
Also called smart weapons or precision-guided munitions.
- missile launchersDevices that fire guided weapons
- cruise missileSelf-propelled flying weapon
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- gyroscopesSpinning axis-orientation devices
- target acquisitionLocating and identifying an objective
moving target · pinpoint accuracy · precision strikes · warheads · drones · fighter jets · accelerometers · microprocessors · bombers · propulsion systems · thermal imaging · surgical strikes · air strike · bunker buster · helicopters · reconnaissance drones · fire-and-forget · satellite communication
guided munitionsdumb bombs
Unguided aerial munitions
carpet bombing · saturation bombing · improvised explosive devices · cluster munitions
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