Lock-On After Launch (LOAL) and Lock-On Before Launch (LOB) differ in when target designation occurs. Which statement is true?

• A. LOAL means designation occurs after launch; LOB designation occurs before launch.
• B. LOAL designation occurs before launch; LOB designation occurs after launch.
• C. LOAL is Lock-On After Launch; LOB is Lock-On Before Launch; LOAL designation occurs after launch, LOB before.
• D. LOAL and LOB timing are unrelated to designation.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is when the target is designated relative to the missile launch. In Lock-On After Launch, designation happens after the missile has left the launcher, and the seeker or an assigned platform updates or acquires the target in flight to complete the lock. In Lock-On Before Launch, the target is designated before the missile is launched, so the weapon can lock onto that designated target from the outset or immediately on launch.

So the true statement is that Lock-On After Launch means designation occurs after launch, and Lock-On Before Launch means designation occurs before launch. The other options miss this timing relationship or state that there’s no relation, which isn’t correct.