Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Missile defense is often described as “shooting down a missile with another missile.”
That makes it sound like aiming.
That’s not what actually happens.
Interceptors don’t chase targets the way a fighter jet would. Instead, they exploit geometry. Using a guidance method called proportional navigation, the interceptor continuously adjusts its path to drive the rate of change of the line-of-sight angle to zero.
When the line of sight stops rotating, the interceptor and target are on a constant bearing.
And in physics, a constant bearing means only one thing: collision is inevitable.
Missile defense is often described as “shooting down a missile with another missile.”
That makes it sound like aiming.
That’s not what actually happens.
Interceptors don’t chase targets the way a fighter jet would. Instead, they exploit geometry. Using a guidance method called proportional navigation, the interceptor continuously adjusts its path to drive the rate of change of the line-of-sight angle to zero.
When the line of sight stops rotating, the interceptor and target are on a constant bearing.
And in physics, a constant bearing means only one thing: collision is inevitable.
