Homing Launcher

Updated 2 November 2026 · Fan site. Not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.

The Homing Launcher is a lock-on missile launcher added to GTA V and GTA Online in the Festive Surprise update. It locks onto cars and aircraft in about two seconds at up to roughly 300 metres and holds ten missiles. In GTA Online it costs $75,000 at Ammu-Nation. Its ancestor is the Heat-Seeking Rocket Launcher from San Andreas.

What is the Homing Launcher?

It is a guided version of the rocket launcher. Instead of flying where the crosshair points, its missiles follow a locked target. That makes it the go-to answer to jets and helicopters in GTA Online. The weapons hub explains where heavy weapons sit on the weapon wheel.

How does the lock-on work?

GTA Wiki says the launcher can lock onto ground and air vehicles, and a lock takes about two seconds at up to around 300 metres. It can also be fired without a lock. A missile that misses may turn and come back for another pass, which happens most against helicopters. Missiles self-destruct after ten seconds, having covered about a kilometre.

One hit usually brings down an aircraft. Skilled jet pilots can still dodge it, and armoured vehicles shrug off a lot of missiles. GTA Wiki notes that the Heists update made it reload more slowly and fire less often.

How do you get the Homing Launcher in GTA V?

In the original release of GTA V, it was simply added to the three main characters' inventories once the update was installed. In the later enhanced version it is bought at Ammu-Nation after the mission Minor Turbulence, according to GTA Wiki.

How do you get it in GTA Online?

It costs $75,000 at Ammu-Nation. GTA Wiki also lists two places where it can be picked up for free: a bedroom on the Galaxy Super Yacht and the top floor of the player's hangar.

What was the Heat-Seeking Rocket Launcher in San Andreas?

San Andreas had the first lock-on launcher. GTA Wiki says it picks the nearest target by itself, shows a green marker that turns red when the lock is ready, and speeds up against aircraft. It is never sold, but it can be found at Easter Bay Airport, at Mike Toreno's ranch after the mission Vertical Bird, in Aldea Malvada and on a car park roof in Las Venturas. It made short work of the police Mavericks that chase CJ at high wanted levels.