Heat seeking missiles can track targets by comparing jet exhaust to the freezing sky
Modern heat-seeking missiles achieve lethal accuracy by detecting the extreme temperature difference between a jet engine's 800-degree exhaust and the freezing background of the high-altitude atmosphere.
Passive infrared seekers lock onto targets by contrasting 800 to 1,200 degree Celsius exhaust plumes against the -50 degree Celsius sky. These systems operate without emitting radar signals, allowing missiles to home in at Mach 2 speeds while remaining virtually invisible to many early warning systems.
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