Application of Pyrotechnic Flares to Countermeasures with IR-Heat Seeking Missiles

IR heat seeking missiles pose a major threat to aircraft. To counteract these threats, pyrotechnic infrared flares have been developed. Today pyrotechnic decoy flares are still the most commonly used passive countermeasures to lure away incoming heat seeking missiles. Their broad application can be due to ease handling and their simple, inexpensive constituents which could operate reliably in a variety of severe environments. In this paper a review is given on infrared pyrotechnic flares include MTV compositions which are used to decoy heat seeking missiles.