Active radar homing

The NATO brevity code for an air-to-air active radar homing missile launch is Fox Three.

Active radar homing is rarely employed as the only guidance method of a missile.

It is most often used during the terminal phase of the engagement, mainly because since the radar transceiver has to be small enough to fit inside a missile and has to be powered from batteries, therefore having a relatively low ERP, its range is limited.

It is possible for a system other than the launching platform to provide guidance to the missile before it switches its radar on; This may be other, similar fighter aircraft or perhaps an AWACS.

Examples of missiles known to use active radar homing (all in their terminal phase) include: