heat signature!?

Question

what is this heat signature(used in missile techonology to keep a track of any plane ar any missile)? where can i find about it in details?does it apply on humans?

Answer 1

"Heat Signature" is a terminology used in IR detecting of airplanes and missiles. The earliest IR detectors could easily be fooled by locking on to the sun or other heat emitters. The method of generating a signature for the anti-aircraft guidance system to follow was developed to prevent falsing.

The term has a slang interpretation by observers using IR scopes for identifying human targets from characteristic heat generation. The US military uniforms have been designed to disrupt this pattern to help camoflauge the outline, much the same as the color patterns disguise the appearance in daylight.