The United States Central Command on Wednesday shared a video which showed Iran’s underground military targets being destriyed by the use of precision munitions amid the escalating war in the Middle East initiated by US and Isreal’s strikes on Iran.“US forces drop precision munitions on underground military targets deep inside Iran to further degrade the Iranian regime’s ability to project power in meaningful ways beyond its borders,” the US Central Command said in a post on X.

What is precision munitions?

A precision munition refers to a weapon designed to strike a specific target accurately while minimizing collateral damage. In contemporary usage, the term is closely associated with precision-guided munitions (PGMs), which are defined by the US Department of Defense as guided weapons intended to destroy point targets with high accuracy. Unlike unguided munitions such as traditional artillery shells or rockets, precision munitions can adjust their flight path after launch to correct for errors caused by weather, target movement, or initial aiming inaccuracies, thereby increasing the likelihood of hitting the intended target.These munitions achieve their accuracy through the use of advanced guidance technologies, including global positioning system (GPS) receivers, laser seekers, inertial navigation systems, and radar-based sensors. Such systems allow the weapon to continuously track and refine its trajectory during flight. As a result, precision munitions are often referred to as “smart weapons,” reflecting their ability to respond dynamically to changing conditions and improve strike effectiveness.

PMTS multiple carriage capability increases loadout and improves training cost per sortie. (Credit: Lockheed Martin)Over time, however, the concept of “precision” has evolved beyond just the presence of guidance technology. As these technologies became more widespread, precision came to encompass not only the munition itself but also the broader system supporting its use. This includes the quality of intelligence used to identify targets, the planning and decision-making processes behind their deployment, and the operational context in which they are used. Thus, a precision munition today is understood not merely as a guided weapon, but as part of an integrated approach to achieving accurate and controlled military effects.

Types of air-to-surface pecision missiles

Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile–Extended Range (AARGM-ER): This missile is used to destroy enemy radar systems, especially those that control air defenses. By knocking out radar, it becomes easier for aircraft to operate safely. It is launched from aircraft and has been upgraded to fly farther and react better to threats than older versions.

AGM-88G AARGM-ER (Credit: US Navy)Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM): The JAGM is mainly used by attack helicopters to hit ground targets like tanks and vehicles. It replaces older missiles by combining their features with better targeting technology. It is more accurate, works in different conditions, and can also be used by some aircraft.Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM): The JASSM is a long-range cruise missile that allows aircraft to strike targets from far away. This helps keep pilots out of danger. Newer versions can travel even farther and are designed to avoid being detected or stopped by enemy defenses.Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM): JDAM is a kit that turns regular bombs into precision weapons by adding GPS guidance. This allows bombs to hit targets accurately even in poor weather. It is widely used because it is cost-effective and easy to add to existing bombs.

GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition (Credit: AF.mil)Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM): This missile is designed to destroy enemy ships. It can travel long distances and uses advanced sensors to find and hit targets at sea, even in complex situations. It can operate with limited guidance and make decisions during flight.Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP): The MOP is a very large bomb used to destroy deeply buried or heavily protected targets like underground bunkers. It is dropped from heavy bombers and penetrates deep into the ground before exploding.Small Diameter Bomb (SDB I and II): These are small but highly accurate bombs that allow aircraft to carry more weapons. SDB I is used mainly for stationary targets and relies on GPS. SDB II is more advanced and can hit moving targets using sensors like radar and infrared.