Targeting Guided Weapons
 In order for guided weapons to be effective, they must be
locked on to a target before they are launched. Guided weapons are
target locked via the primary and secondary targeting arrays of the
weapon panel on the console. If a
guided weapon is selected then the first LED of the targeting array
flashes. The colour of the LED depends on which weapon is
selected.
In Harrier Attack II, targeting is based on the idea of a
targeting cone. The targeting cone is like a giant imaginary
ice-cream cone protruding from the front of the Harrier. When a
target comes in to the targeting cone, the LEDs of the array
illuminate in turn. When the larger 'SHOOT' LED lights, the weapon
has a target lock and may be launched by pressing Fire or
Fire2.
Some weapons have special targeting considerations:
- The wire-guided
missile is guided by the pilot. The target must remain within
the targeting cone (ie 'SHOOT' must remain lit) until the missile
finds its mark.
- The target lock of heat-seeking and radar-guided missiles may
be detected by the target. The longer the 'SHOOT' LED is lit before
the missile is launched, the greater is the chance of the target
defending itself by deploying flares or chaff, if they have
them.
- The targeting cone for the laser-guided bomb protrudes downwards
from the Harrier rather than forwards.
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