Mission planners program the missile with the target, air defence locations and planned ground path, then the missile uses a low terrain-hugging flight path guided by GPS and terrain matching to the proximity of the target. Once there the missile commences a bunt (climb) manoeuver to an altitude intended to achieve the best probabilty of target acquisition and penetration. During the bunt, the nose cone is jettisoned to allow a high resolution infra-red camera to see the target area. The missile attempts to match the target image with the planned target. If it can't and there is a high risk of collateral damage, it will steer to a pre-designated crash point instead of risking an inaccurate attack with undesired consequences.
Matra BAe Dynamics (UK) was the main UK contractor and Matra BAe Dynamics (France) the main French contractor. The two parts of the same company handled the international co-operation work, reducing project management overhead.