What is meant by terminal guidance?

Terminal guidance refers to the tracking and steering of a weapon system during the final phase of its flight towards the target. This involves high precision in the short range just before impact, which is crucial for ensuring accuracy when the weapon is in proximity to the intended target.

In this context, the accurate, short-range guidance system provides essential updates and corrections to the weapon's trajectory as it approaches the target, thereby maximizing the probability of a successful hit. This is particularly important for weapons such as guided missiles or bombs that rely on homing technology to navigate the last phase of their descent or approach.

The other options do not correctly capture the essence of terminal guidance. Initial guidance during weapon launch pertains to the systems used to set the weapon on a course, while long-range guidance refers to earlier phases of navigating a weapon far from the target. A system offering advice on weapon adjustments does not specifically pertain to the precision tracking and control needed in the crucial final moments before impact.