Precision-Guided Munitions: Infra-Red-Guided Weapons-Part 1 of 4: Article

Precision has always been one of the five most important attributes of a weapon, with operational range, striking power, volume of fire and portability being the other four. The stateof- the-art precision-guided munitions (PGMs) combine all these attributes to make them a potent force multiplier in the contemporary battlefield. Emergence and subsequent maturity of PGMs, made possible mainly due to advances in electronics, optoelectronics and optics, is one of the most significant developments of modern warfare. Let us discuss the various guidance techniques employed in this class of weapons.