How did feedback loops operate in the Nike Ajax missile system?

The Nike Ajax missile system utilized a command-guidance system rather than a self-contained homing mechanism. In this configuration, the feedback loop operated entirely from the ground, where both the tracking radars and the computer responsible for calculating course corrections were located.1

The system functioned by continuously tracking both the target aircraft and the intercepting missile via ground-based radar. This data was fed into a computer that determined the necessary course changes to ensure interception. By processing this information, the ground system could command the missile to follow aerodynamically favorable paths and adjust its trajectory in real-time to counter any evasive maneuvers taken by the target.1

This approach minimized the control apparatus required within the missile itself, relying instead on the accuracy of ground-based tracking to close the loop between the missile's current position and the desired intercept point. The success of this design demonstrated that ground-based tracking was sufficiently accurate to provide satisfactory interception, allowing for flexibility in dealing with dynamic targets.1