How do guided missles work?
In: Physics
Basically 3 ways:
1. The missile follows a path indicated by someone or something external that shows it where to go. Like a friend with a flashlight (torch) who shows the way.
2. The missile follows a path indicated by something internal that shows it where to go. Like carrying your own flashlight (torch).
3. A combination of 1 and 2, above.
That’s all there is. But let’s get into some detail, here.
In the case of #1, above, the person firing the missile “paints” the target either with a spot from a laser, or with a beam of radio energy. Otherwise, the person steers the missile directly. Much depends on the origin of the missile: from air, ground, or sea?
* Laser: person launching the missile points a laser beam at a target. Missile follows the spot of the laser and blows up when it gets there;
* Radio energy (usually radar). person launching the missile points a radar at the target. The missile follows the return signal (an echo) back to the target;
* Optical: person launching the missile aims an optical scope at the target, maintaining the target in the cross hairs of the scope. The missile (by a radio link back to the launcher) adjusts its path based on any changes to the position of the scope.
In the case of #2, above, all the things described by #1 are done INTERNALLY in the missile, itself.
In the case of #3, above, the person launching the missile starts the missile on its way, then turns over control to the missile, itself.
Latest Answers