Precision Guided Munitions :: Weapons Guns Gun Essays Reseach Papers

Precision Guided Munitions During the Persian disjunction warfare of 1991 a new class of weapons made its debut and presaged a revolution in legions affairs. Although precision-guided munitions (PGMs), ranging from laser-guided bombs to Tomahawk cruise missiles, represented only a dissever of the total ordinance used in Iraq, the effect they had was electric. The television footage of a bomb dropped from more than 6 miles above descending onto its butt and smash with absolute precision was at once fascinating and jarring. The Gulf War exhibit the power that precision animated attacks possessed. The accuracy and lethality of air launched munitions during the Gulf war was in sharp contrast to the relative crudity of aerial bombing during World War II. In Iraq and later in Kosovo, precision-guided munitions (PGM) demonstrated their capabilities. The US waged a geek of warfare in these campaigns that was markedly opposite from World War II, Korea, and Vie tnam. The US is still coming to grips with the implications of the new type of warfare it has released. The development of accurate precision-guided munitions was not revolutionary, but an evolutionary bring that took the course of half a century. Today most precision-guided munitions can be classified by their guidance or propulsion systems. Precision-guided munitions affect the military in three areas. First precision-guided munitions have challenged time-honored traditions of mass. Second, precision-guided munitions have droll information needs. Finally, the capabilities of precision-guided munitions have significant implications on acquisitions policy. Regardless of whether or not precision-guided munitions are part of a larger revolution in military, the implications of precision-guided munitions for the US military are significant. Historical Evolution of AccuracyEver since composition first threw st unmatcheds at their fellow men, the elusive goal of killing ones opponent from a distance, with absolute precision has been a set apart grail of warfare. Weapons such as turn aways and arrows, rifles, and artillery, were all designed for increased lethality at hugeer distances, with less risk to the operator. PGMs provide just that efficacy that is the capability to put ordinance on target with precision at long ranges. Precision has always played a role in warfare. Whether it was marksmanship with bow or rifle, the ability to place a projectile on target contributed greatly to victory. PGMs were designed with just that function in mind.