Which statement best describes command guidance in air intercept operations?

Which statement best describes command guidance in air intercept operations?

• A. Missiles without seekers that require commands from an outside source.
• B. Missiles that illuminate the target using onboard radar and guide themselves.
• C. Missiles that rely on passive emissions to home in on a target.
• D. Missiles that ride a laser beam toward the target.

Answer: (A)

Command guidance means the missile has no onboard seeker and relies on steering commands sent from an outside source. In air intercepts, a tracking system or aircraft determines the target’s position and computes guidance updates, then transmits those updates to the missile so it can be steered toward the target. This external control is what differentiates command guidance from other methods that use their own sensors to find or lock onto the target. Missiles that illuminate the target with onboard radar and guide themselves use active guidance, meaning they self-track the target. Those that home in on passive emissions rely on sensing signals from the target or environment. And missiles that ride a laser beam depend on a laser designation to stay guided. The description of needing outside commands and lacking an onboard seeker is the defining feature of command guidance.

Command guidance means the missile has no onboard seeker and relies on steering commands sent from an outside source. In air intercepts, a tracking system or aircraft determines the target’s position and computes guidance updates, then transmits those updates to the missile so it can be steered toward the target. This external control is what differentiates command guidance from other methods that use their own sensors to find or lock onto the target.

Missiles that illuminate the target with onboard radar and guide themselves use active guidance, meaning they self-track the target. Those that home in on passive emissions rely on sensing signals from the target or environment. And missiles that ride a laser beam depend on a laser designation to stay guided. The description of needing outside commands and lacking an onboard seeker is the defining feature of command guidance.