QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 STUDY
GUIDE
◉ Semi-Active Terminal Homing. Answer: Target is illuminated by a
fire control radar or electro-optical sensor from the launching platform;
weapon "needs a little help"
◉ Passive Terminal Homing. Answer: Weapon tracks the enemy source
-Noise Radiation Homing
-Anti-Radiation Homing (ARM)
-Infrared
◉ Command Guidance. Answer: Guidance commands come from
sources outside the weapon in order to get it to an intercept
◉ Self Contained Guidance. Answer: GPS
Inertial Navigation System (INS)
Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM)
Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator (DSMAC)
,◉ GPS. Answer: Satellite based navigation system that uses satellites to
send digital signal to weapon receiver that determines its position
relative to the target position. Examples include SM-2, SM-3, SM-T,
SM-6, and TLAM
◉ Inertial Navigation System (INS). Answer: Uses accelerometers to
make corrections in flight to keep weapon on proper trajectory.
Examples include TLAM, SLAM-ER, JSOW, and JDAM
◉ Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM). Answer: uses an altimeter and
a database of stored 3D navigation "maps" that guide the missile en
route to its target. Example includes TLAM
◉ Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator (DSMAC). Answer: uses a
digital camera and image correlator to find the target. Example includes
TLAM
◉ Weapon Designation - 1st Letter Group. Answer: Launch Platform
A - air
R - ship
S - space
U - underwater
◉ Weapon Designation - 2nd Letter Group. Answer: Basic Mission
,C - cargo
G - surface attack
I - air intercept
U - underwater attack
◉ Weapon Designation - 3rd Letter Group. Answer: Vehicle Type
B - booster
M - missile
Q - drone
R - rocket
◉ Weapon Designation - 4th Letter Group. Answer: Design Number and
Series
◉ AN/SSQ-62 Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System
(DICASS). Answer: (active) Primary Function: detection and
localization of submarines in preparation for attack x
◉ AN/SSQ-53 Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording (DIFAR).
Answer: Primary Function: combines PASSIVE directional and
calibrated wide band omni-capability
◉ 3 Principles of CWC. Answer: Collaborative Planning
, Decentralized Execution
Command by Negation
◉ CWC. Answer: Composite Warfare Concept
◉ Supported Commander. Answer: Receiving assistance from another
commander
◉ Supporting Commander. Answer: Provides assistance to another
commander
◉ Operations Order (OPORD). Answer: Directive issued by the
operational commander to subordinate commanders affecting the
coordinated execution of an operation
◉ Operational Tasking (OPTASK). Answer: Guidelines for operational
conduct
◉ Daily Intentions Message (DIM). Answer: Messages with an
immediate impact on operations to convey direction from the latest
iteration of the commander's decision cycle
- Information that comes out daily
◉ CWC Diagram. Answer: