PURPOSE: To detect the existing direction of a target body correctly and, consequently, concentrate the fragments of a warhead to the target correctly with the optimum timing by a method wherein a proximity fuse device is provided with a device, loaded on a missile provided with the warhead and commanding the igniting operation of the explosive of the warhead when the missile has approached to the target.

CONSTITUTION: A proximity fuse device is provided with a target detector 11, detecting reflected waves from the target body 20 having entered the path of projected beams and outputting detecting signals E1-E4 in accordance with the strength of signals in every guadrant, circuits 14, 17, comparing respective detecting signals from the target detector and judging the guadrant where the target is present, a means 15, detecting a relative speed between the target based on respective detecting signals from the target detector, and a delay means 16, delaying the signal SVC of the detected relative speed by a predetermined period of time and outputting a timing signal SDT. The title device is constituted so as to command the igniting operation based on the delayed timing signal and information SQ on the guadirant where the target is judged to be present.