What type of heat source does the Stinger missile use to track a target?

• A. Infrared
• B. Visible
• C. Microwave
• D. Ultraviolet

Answer: (A)

Infrared heat-seeking is used by the Stinger. The missile carries a passive infrared seeker that detects infrared radiation—the heat radiated by the target, especially the aircraft’s hot engine exhaust. The seeker locks onto that heat signature and continually steers the rocket toward it, which is why the system can track a moving aircraft without emitting any energy of its own.

Because the Stinger relies on heat from the target, it isn’t using visible light, microwave (radar), or ultraviolet signatures. Visible tracking would fight against glare, camouflage, and lighting conditions; a microwave seeker would require an active RF transmitter and more complex hardware; ultraviolet tracking is less reliable in typical air combat environments and can be countered by countermeasures.