Precision-guided munition
A smart bomb or smart ammunition is a kind of weapon that is able to hit a target more precisely. It will therefore do more damage to the intended target, and ideally, there will be less collateral damage.[1] Officially, these bombs are called Precision-guided munition, or PGM.
Such ammunition or bombs have the ability to influence their course, after they have been launched.
Usually, such weapons have sensors, for example for:
- Detecting their position, for example by using GPS.
- detecting light, infrared or radar signals
- Empennage (also called tail assembly) that allows them to change their course
- A battery, as a source of energy.
During the First Gulf War guided munitions were only 9% of weapons fired, but they accounted for 75% of all successful hits. Despite guided weapons generally being used on more difficult targets, they were still 35 times more likely to destroy their targets per weapon dropped.[2]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Hallion, Richard (1995). "Precision guided munitions and the new era of warfare". Air Power Studies Centre, Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
- ↑ "Bursts of Brilliance - The Washington Post". The Washington Post.