What type of guidance does the Stinger missile use?

• A. Laser guidance
• B. Passive infrared (IR) homing guidance
• C. Active radar guidance
• D. Imaging infrared guidance

Answer: (B)

This question tests understanding of how the Stinger senses and steers toward a target. The Stinger uses heat-seeking guidance, specifically a passive infrared seeker. It detects infrared radiation emitted by the target—usually the hot exhaust and airframe—without emitting any energy of its own. That makes it passive: there’s no external illumination or radar energy to locate the target. Laser guidance would require external illumination, active radar would mean the missile itself is emitting radar signals to find the target, and imaging infrared guidance would imply forming a detailed IR image to recognize the target. The Stinger’s seeker is designed to pick up the heat source and ride it to the target, so passive infrared homing guidance is the best description.