In command guidance, who is responsible for calculating the intercept trajectory?

In command guidance, who is responsible for calculating the intercept trajectory?

• A. The ground tracking radar system.
• B. The missile's onboard autopilot.
• C. The target's own guidance system.
• D. The external IFF beacon.

Answer: (A)

In command guidance, the intercept trajectory is calculated by the ground-based tracking and guidance system using radar data. The ground radar continuously tracks the target and the interceptor, computes the required flight path to bring the missile to the intercept, and then sends steering commands to the missile. The missile’s onboard autopilot simply executes those commands, adjusting its flight controls accordingly. The target’s own guidance system and the external IFF beacon do not perform this trajectory calculation.

In command guidance, the intercept trajectory is calculated by the ground-based tracking and guidance system using radar data. The ground radar continuously tracks the target and the interceptor, computes the required flight path to bring the missile to the intercept, and then sends steering commands to the missile. The missile’s onboard autopilot simply executes those commands, adjusting its flight controls accordingly. The target’s own guidance system and the external IFF beacon do not perform this trajectory calculation.