semi-active
Adjective
Meaning
semi-active (not comparable)
Partially active
Examples
A disadvantage to semi-active homing was that only one target could be illuminated by the launching fighter plane at a time.
Designed with 7" diameter instead of 8" diameter form-and-fit factors, and employing active transmit-receive radar guidance instead of semi-active receive-only radar guidance, it is a fire-and-forget upgrade to the previous generation Sparrow missiles.
In semi-active mode, a torpedo can be fired to the last known position or calculated position of a target, which is then acoustically illuminated ("pinged") once the torpedo is within attack range.
As with other semi-active radar guided missiles, the missile does not generate radar signals, but instead homes in on reflected continuous-wave signals from the launch platform's radar.
It uses a semi-active laser homing guidance system and an integrated blast fragmentation sleeve warhead to engage targets that previously needed multiple Hellfire variants.
Principle of guidance (semi-active version) The launching aircraft will illuminate the target with its radar.