What effect do humidity and precipitation have on the Stinger seeker’s infrared contrast?

What effect do humidity and precipitation have on the Stinger seeker’s infrared contrast?

• A. They degrade IR contrast, reducing tracking performance.
• B. They improve IR contrast.
• C. They have no impact.
• D. They increase range.

Answer: (A)

Humidity and precipitation degrade infrared contrast in the Stinger seeker. Water vapor and rain droplets absorb and scatter infrared energy in the sensor’s operating band, which reduces the difference in radiance between a hot target (like an engine exhaust) and the background. This added atmospheric attenuation and path radiance lowers the signal-to-noise ratio and image clarity the seeker uses to track the target, so tracking performance suffers and range can be effectively reduced. These conditions do not improve contrast, they do have an impact, and they do not increase range.

Humidity and precipitation degrade infrared contrast in the Stinger seeker. Water vapor and rain droplets absorb and scatter infrared energy in the sensor’s operating band, which reduces the difference in radiance between a hot target (like an engine exhaust) and the background. This added atmospheric attenuation and path radiance lowers the signal-to-noise ratio and image clarity the seeker uses to track the target, so tracking performance suffers and range can be effectively reduced. These conditions do not improve contrast, they do have an impact, and they do not increase range.