Key Takeaways
- Fire-and-forget missiles use onboard seekers to lock on to targets before launch
- These missiles guide themselves without further input after firing
- Seekers rely on infrared imaging, millimetre-wave radar, or electro-optical sensors
- Fire-and-forget missiles reduce the need for vulnerable data links between the launcher and missile
- They allow the launch platform to disengage or manoeuvre away after firing
Introduction to Fire-and-Forget Missiles
A fire-and-forget missile is a type of missile that uses an onboard seeker to lock on to a target before launch. This technology allows the missile to guide itself to the target without the need for further input or guidance from the launch platform. According to a study by Stanford University, fire-and-forget missiles are also known as "launch-and-leave" or "shoot-and-scoot" missiles, depending on the context in which they are used. The key characteristic of these missiles is that they require no further intervention once they are fired, making them a highly effective and efficient weapon system.
How Fire-and-Forget Missiles Work
Fire-and-forget missiles rely on advanced seekers to lock on to their targets before launch. These seekers use a variety of sensors, including infrared imaging, millimetre-wave radar, and electro-optical sensors, to detect and track the target. Once the seeker has locked on to the target, the missile can be launched, and it will guide itself to the target without the need for further input. This allows the launch platform to disengage or manoeuvre away from the target area, reducing its vulnerability to counter-attacks. The use of fire-and-forget missiles also reduces the need for vulnerable data links between the launcher and the missile, which can be susceptible to jamming or interception.
Advantages of Fire-and-Forget Missiles
The use of fire-and-forget missiles offers several advantages over traditional missile systems. One of the main advantages is that they allow the launch platform to quickly disengage from the target area, reducing its exposure to counter-attacks. This is particularly important in modern warfare, where the use of advanced air defence systems and counter-measures can make it difficult for launch platforms to survive for long periods of time in the target area. Fire-and-forget missiles also reduce the need for complex and vulnerable data links between the launcher and the missile, which can be susceptible to jamming or interception. This makes them a more reliable and effective option for a wide range of military applications.
Types of Seekers Used in Fire-and-Forget Missiles
Fire-and-forget missiles use a variety of seekers to lock on to their targets. Infrared seekers are one of the most common types of seekers used in fire-and-forget missiles. These seekers use infrared radiation to detect and track the target, and are often used in air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. Millimetre-wave radar seekers are another type of seeker used in fire-and-forget missiles. These seekers use high-frequency radar waves to detect and track the target, and are often used in surface-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Electro-optical seekers are also used in some fire-and-forget missiles, and use visible or ultraviolet light to detect and track the target.
Conclusion
In conclusion, fire-and-forget missiles are a highly effective and efficient weapon system that uses onboard seekers to lock on to targets before launch. These missiles guide themselves to the target without the need for further input, allowing the launch platform to disengage or manoeuvre away from the target area. The use of fire-and-forget missiles reduces the need for vulnerable data links between the launcher and the missile, making them a more reliable and effective option for a wide range of military applications. With their advanced seekers and autonomous guidance systems, fire-and-forget missiles are an important part of modern military arsenals, and are likely to play a major role in future conflicts.
