What is required for an LGB to achieve accurate guidance?

What is required for an LGB to achieve accurate guidance?

• A. Laser designator not needed
• B. GPS guidance only
• C. Requires laser designation
• D. Only inertial navigation

Answer: (C)

An LGB relies on a semi-active laser seeker, so accurate guidance hinges on a laser designator illuminating the target. The designator provides a laser energy cue that the munition’s seeker picks up as reflected light, allowing the warhead to steer precisely to the target. Without that laser illumination, the seeker has nothing to track, and the weapon cannot home in on the target accurately. Laser designation is the essential cue for the standard LGB. Simply relying on GPS guidance or inertial navigation won’t deliver the target-specific guidance the laser seeker needs, and the designator is not optional in this guidance mode. Some dual-mode weapons exist, but for a classic LGB, laser designation is required.

An LGB relies on a semi-active laser seeker, so accurate guidance hinges on a laser designator illuminating the target. The designator provides a laser energy cue that the munition’s seeker picks up as reflected light, allowing the warhead to steer precisely to the target. Without that laser illumination, the seeker has nothing to track, and the weapon cannot home in on the target accurately.

Laser designation is the essential cue for the standard LGB. Simply relying on GPS guidance or inertial navigation won’t deliver the target-specific guidance the laser seeker needs, and the designator is not optional in this guidance mode. Some dual-mode weapons exist, but for a classic LGB, laser designation is required.