A laser designator is a laser light source which is used to designate a target. Laser designators provide targeting for laser-guided bombs, missiles, or precision artillery munitions, such as the Paveway series of bombs, AGM-114 Hellfire, or the M712 Copperhead round, respectively.
Portable unit directing bombing in Afghanistan, 2001
CILAS DHY 307
A Thales Damocles target designation pod combined with a NAVFLIR imager
USAF handheld laser designator as seen under night vision, 2007
Paveway is a series of laser-guided bombs (LGBs).
A Paveway III seeker head, at the RAF Museum in Hendon, London.
Paveway III at ILA airshow 2006
Top to bottom: A Paveway II computer control group, an Enhanced GBU-12, and a Laser-Guided Training Round, at the Paris Air Show 2007
Image: US Navy 030129 N 5362F 001 Aviation Ordnanceman assembles a 500 pound GBU 12 bomb