What is aircraft weapon?

Aircraft weapons include various munitions carried and deployed by military and tactical aircraft to engage and neutralize enemy targets or locations on land, sea, or in air combat. These weapons are integral to modern warfare and enable armed forces to deliver precision strikes, destroy or disable targets remotely, and provide offensive capabilities to support ground operations. Some common aircraft weapons include: * Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs): Designed for air-to-air combat, these missiles allow aircraft to engage and shoot down enemy aircraft. Examples include the AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and MBDA Meteor. * Air-to-Surface Missiles (ASMs): Used to strike targets on the ground, sea, or surface vessels. ASMs can be anti-ship, anti-tank, or general-purpose, depending on their design. Examples include the AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-65 Maverick, and Brimstone. * Guided Bombs (GBU): Precision-guided bombs equipped with guidance systems, such as GPS or laser seekers, for accurate delivery on specific targets. Examples include the GBU-31/32/38 JDAM series and the GBU-12 Paveway II. * Unguided Bombs: Also called "free-fall" bombs, these are typically less precise than guided bombs but are useful for carpet bombing or targeting large areas. Examples include Mk 82, Mk 83, and Mk 84 bombs. * Rockets: High-explosive projectiles that rely on rocket propulsion for flight. Rockets can be launched in volleys from pods mounted on aircraft or carried as stand-off munitions. Examples include Hydra 70 and SNEB rockets. * Guns and Cannons: Aircraft can be equipped with built-in guns or cannons for close-range combat or ground support. These can include rotary cannons like the M61 Vulcan or fixed cannons like the GAU-8 Avenger. * Cluster Bombs: Munitions that disperse smaller submunitions or 'bomblets' over a wide area. Cluster bombs have been widely criticized due to their indiscriminate nature and the threat they pose to civilians. * Laser-Guided Rockets (LGRs)**: Rockets equipped with laser seekers for precise guidance to targets illuminated by laser designators from aircraft or ground forces. Examples include the APKWS II rocket system. These represent a handful of the many types of aircraft weapons used in modern combat operations, and each is tailored to specific missions and target requirements.