Laserseeking

Laserseeking refers to a guidance system employed by weapons, most commonly missiles, that allows them to track a designated target illuminated by a laser designator. The seeker head of the weapon contains a sensor that is sensitive to the specific wavelength of the laser light. As the missile approaches the target, the sensor detects the reflected laser energy. The seeker then processes this information, adjusting the missile's trajectory to keep the reflected laser energy centered on its field of view, thereby steering the missile towards the designated point.

This system requires two key components: the laser designator, which can be ground-based, airborne, or integrated into another weapon system, and the laser-guided munition. The designator is used to "paint" the target with a laser beam, which is invisible to the naked eye but detectable by the missile's seeker. Once locked onto the laser spot, the missile will continue to pursue it, even if the target moves, as long as the designator maintains illumination. Laser-guided munitions offer high precision, enabling them to strike targets with a low probability of collateral damage. However, their effectiveness can be compromised by factors such as smoke, fog, or other obscurants that can interfere with the laser beam.