laserguided

Laserguided refers to weapons or targeting systems that use laser energy to guide a munition to a designated target. In most semi-active laser guidance systems, a laser designator—mounted on aircraft, on the ground, or in a handheld form—illuminates the target. A seeker on the bomb or missile detects the reflected laser energy and adjusts its flight path to intercept. Some laser-guided configurations also use laser beam riding, where the weapon follows a laser beam aimed at the target rather than tracking reflected light.

Typical system architecture includes a laser designator, a seeker and guidance processor on the munition, and control surfaces or propulsion that allow trajectory corrections. Guidance accuracy is enhanced when the designation is maintained on the target during the terminal phase, though some variants incorporate inertial navigation or GPS guidance to improve reliability and enable stand-off delivery.

History and usage have centered on air-to-surface applications. Laser-guided bombs, such as the early Paveway family developed in the United States, entered service in the 1970s and became widely deployed in multiple conflicts. Other munitions, including some variants of air-launched missiles and air-to-ground munitions, have employed semi-active laser guidance. Modern laser-guided weapons often combine laser designation with GPS/INS for added robustness and precision, and may be coordinated with airborne or ground-based designators.

Advantages of laserguided weapons include high accuracy, reduced collateral damage, and effectiveness against moving or well-defended targets under clear line-of-sight illumination. Limitations include dependence on continuous laser designation, vulnerability to weather or atmospheric conditions that obscure the laser beam, potential for designator misuse, and susceptibility to countermeasures such as beam-splitting, camouflage, or laser jamming.