What type of guidance do WVRAAMs utilize?

WVRAAMs, or Within Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles, typically utilize infrared guidance systems. This guidance type relies on the heat emitted by the target, allowing the missile to home in on the source of the heat, which is often the engine exhaust of enemy aircraft. Infrared guidance is particularly effective in air combat scenarios where targets are within visual range, as it allows for quick response times and a high degree of accuracy against high-speed aerial threats.

Laser guidance, while useful in some specific contexts, is not the primary method employed by WVRAAMs, as it requires a direct line of sight and can become less effective against evasive maneuvers. Radar guidance is commonly associated with beyond visual range missiles since it can track targets at a distance, but it is not typically utilized for WVRAAMs. GPS guidance is primarily found in longer-range missiles for precision targeting and navigation, rather than in the close-combat scenario that WVRAAMs operate within.