Missiles Guidance Systems

Introduction to missiles
• Missile usually means any thrown or launched
object.

• The word missile now means a self-propelled

guided weapon system.

• Missiles can be classified into two categories:

1)Guided missiles or Tactical missiles
2)Unguided missiles or Strategic missiles.
 Technology
• Guided missiles have a number of different
system components:

1.Targeting and/or guidance

2.Flight system
3.Engine
4.Warhead
 Guided Missile
• Guidance is defined here as the means by
which a missile steers to, or is steered to, a
target.
• In guided missiles, missile guidance occurs
after launch.
• Guided missiles may either home to the
target, or follow a non homing preset course.
 Purpose and Function
Attitude Control System
• To maintain the missile in
the desired attitude on the
ordered flight path by
controlling the missile in
pitch, roll, and yaw.
Flight Path Control System
• It operates as an auto-pilot,
damping out fluctuations
that tend to deflect the
missile from its ordered
flight path.

•The function of the flight path control system is to determine the

flight path necessary for target interception and to generate the
orders to the attitude control system to maintain that path.
 Sensors
• The guidance system in a missile can be
compared to the human pilot of an airplane. As a
pilot guides his plane to the landing field, the
guidance system "sees" its target.
• If the target is far away or otherwise obscured,
radio or radar beams can be used to locate it and
direct the missile to it.
• Heat, light, television, the earth's magnetic field
have all been found suitable for specific guidance
purposes.
•When an electromagnetic source is used to guide
the missile, an antenna and a receiver are installed
in the missile to form what is known as a sensor.
• The sensor picks up, or senses, the guidance
information. Missiles that are guided by other than
electromagnetic means use other types of sensors,
but each must have some means of receiving
"position reports."
•The kind of sensor that is used will be determined
by such factors as maximum operation range,
operating conditions, the kind of information
needed, the accuracy required, viewing angle, and
weight and size of the sensor, and the type of
target and its speed.
 Guidance Systems

Go-Onto-Target (GOT)
Homing Guidance Control Guidance
• Active • Command Guidance
• Semi-active  Command to Line-Of-Sight
• Passive  Command Off Line-Of-Sight
• Retransmission • Line-Of-Sight Beam Riding
Guidance
 Go-Onto-Location-in-Space (GOLIS)

• Inertial Guidance
 With gyro-stabilized platform
 With strap down platform
• Preset Guidance
• Celestial Guidance
• Terrestrial Guidance
 Topographic Reconnaissance
 Photographic Reconnaissance
Homing Guidance