AirtoSurface

Air-to-surface is a category of air-delivered weapons whose primary goal is to engage targets on the surface of the Earth. It encompasses unguided bombs, guided bombs, and air-to-surface missiles, used against fixed installations, vehicles, or other surface targets. The term distinguishes these weapons from air-to-air systems designed to strike other aircraft. While many air-to-surface weapons target land, some missiles are capable of engaging maritime targets under certain conditions.

Unguided bombs, often called dumb bombs, rely on gravity and aircraft release parameters for their impact point and are typically less accurate than guided munitions. Guided bombs integrate a guidance kit or onboard navigation and control to improve precision. Common guidance methods include GPS/INS for all-weather accuracy, laser guidance with ground or air designators, and imaging infrared or electro-optical seekers for terminal guidance, with some weapons using dual-mode guidance for flexibility.

Air-to-surface missiles (ASMs) are self-propelled, guided munitions designed to strike surface targets at longer ranges and from standoff positions. Guidance systems for ASMs include infrared, millimeter-wave or radar seekers, GPS guidance, and laser designation. Some ASMs are optimized for land targets, while others are anti-ship or capable of engaging moving targets at sea.

Platforms for air-to-surface weapons include fixed-wing fighters and bombers, attack helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems. Modern platforms integrate sophisticated sensors, targeting pods, and advanced fire-control software to enable precision strikes while minimizing collateral damage and risk to crews.