SAS using lasers to guide missiles on to key targets

British special forces have been dropped into Libya to guide in missiles aimed at Colonel Gaddafi's military machine.

Using GPS systems and laser beams, they are identifying key targets including the building inside the dictator's Tripoli compound which was severely hit last night.

The elite troops, who radio the information back to a command centre, form a key part of the allied strategy to take out Gaddafi's air defences, communication systems and stop assaults against the rebels.

The laser operators focus an intense beam of light at a target, which is then detected by the attacking aircraft's bomb or missile. Upon release, the laser-guided weapons follow this aim point, homing in on the beam's reflection.

"We are making professional judgments to save lives which contrasts with the way Gaddafi's forces are behaving," said a military source.

At sea, a 280ft Royal Navy Trafalgar-class submarine is delivering its payload of 1,000lb missiles with an accuracy of a few yards from up to 1,000 miles away.

In the air, Britain is using GR4 Tornado bombers, which fly at 1.3 times the speed of sound and carry 1.2tonne Storm Shadow "bunker busting" missiles.

The new Typhoon fighter jets, built as part of the Eurofighter programme, carry six air-to-air and six air-to-ground missiles. At least 10 are now in Italy at the Gioia delle Colle military base, near Bari, just 30 minutes from Libya ready to join Operation Dawn Odyssey.

Also deployed are E-3D Sentry and Sentinel surveillance aircraft, which helped to co-ordinate the first air strikes and can scan areas of up to 300 miles from a height of 30,000 feet.