What determines the effectiveness of semiactive radar missiles?

The effectiveness of semiactive radar missiles is significantly influenced by the necessity of maintaining radar lock on the target. Semiactive radar homing relies on an external radar system to illuminate the target, and the missile itself must track the reflected radar energy to guide itself toward the target. If the radar lock is lost due to maneuvering or other factors, the missile cannot effectively home in on the target, which compromises its ability to strike accurately. This requirement for continuous radar illumination is crucial for the success of the missile’s guidance system throughout its flight path.

Other aspects, such as the missile’s speed or range, play a role in the overall performance and engagement capabilities of the missile system but are secondary to the principle of maintaining radar lock for effective guidance. An onboard radar system, while important for different types of missiles, is not a characteristic of semiactive systems specifically, as they rely on external radar for guidance.