The arrival of Terrier, Tartar and Talos does not immediately solve every naval interception problem. Some early systems cannot engage supersonic aircraft in their initial service form. Beam-riding guidance can be constrained by the speed at which its radar beam follows a fast-moving target. At greater distance, the angular tracking demand can be easier to meet, but the required distance may exceed the missile's own reach. Guidance and tracking capability therefore help define the usable envelope alongside nominal range.
Notable Point · 1:26:31-1:27:32
Why some early naval missiles struggled with fast targets
Early beam-riding systems could be limited by how quickly their guidance beams followed a target.