A guidance system for a missile with a laser beam source located at a distance from the missile generating a modulated laser beam that is directed towards the missile. A group of backward looking sensors on the body of the missile detect any radiation scattered from the laser beam along with a group of forward looking sensors located on the missile. Both groups look at an angle to the missile's longitudinal axis. Signals from the sensors are applied to processing electronics in the missile that determine the phase shift in signals derived from when a backward looking sensor detects scattered radiation from a laser beam and a forward looking sensor detects scattered radiation from that beam. The processing electronics can then accurately determine the distance between the missile and the beam from the phase shift and correct the missile's trajectory to maintain its position with respect to the beam.