Which phrase best specifies the three signals received by the control section from guidance in the AIM-120?

• A. Pitch, yaw, and roll
• B. Pitch, yaw, and altitude
• C. Roll, yaw, and speed
• D. Yaw, roll, and velocity

Answer: (A)

The guidance system communicates three angular commands to the control section to steer the missile: pitch, yaw, and roll. Pitch and yaw directly change the flight path—pitch tilts the nose up or down, yaw moves it left or right. Roll, while not changing direction by itself, ensures the vehicle stays properly oriented and that the control surfaces (like canards or fins) deliver the intended steering moments effectively during maneuvers. Altitude and speed are state parameters, not direct control surface commands, so they aren’t the signals sent to the control section. Thus the three signals from guidance to control are pitch, yaw, and roll.