Which munition family primarily uses laser guidance?

Which munition family primarily uses laser guidance?

• A. Hound
• B. Sidewinder
• C. Paveway
• D. JDAM

Answer: (C)

Laser guidance relies on a designator (ground or air) illuminating the target with a laser beam, and the bomb carrying a seeker that detects the reflected laser energy to steer to the impact point. The Paveway family is built around this semi-active laser guidance concept, so it’s the one that primarily uses laser guidance. The Sidewinder is an air-to-air missile that uses infrared (heat-seeking) guidance, not laser. JDAM uses GPS/INS guidance to navigate to a pre-programmed coordinate, with no need for laser designation. Hound (the other option) uses a different guidance method such as television or command guidance rather than laser.

Laser guidance relies on a designator (ground or air) illuminating the target with a laser beam, and the bomb carrying a seeker that detects the reflected laser energy to steer to the impact point. The Paveway family is built around this semi-active laser guidance concept, so it’s the one that primarily uses laser guidance.

The Sidewinder is an air-to-air missile that uses infrared (heat-seeking) guidance, not laser. JDAM uses GPS/INS guidance to navigate to a pre-programmed coordinate, with no need for laser designation. Hound (the other option) uses a different guidance method such as television or command guidance rather than laser.