What must an Infrared (IR) flare mimic to simulate an aircraft?

An infrared (IR) flare must mimic all the kinematic, temporal, spatial, and spectral properties to effectively simulate an aircraft. Kinematic properties refer to the motion and trajectory of the aircraft, which the flare must replicate to create a realistic signature. Temporal properties involve the timing and duration of the flare's emissions; this aspect is crucial for accurately simulating the transient nature of an aircraft's heat signature.

Spatial properties relate to the physical dimensions and positioning of the flare in relation to other objects, mimicking the way an aircraft would appear in its operational environment. Spectral properties are concerned with the specific wavelengths of infrared radiation emitted; this includes both the intensity and the profile of the IR emissions, which need to match those of an actual aircraft for the simulation to be convincing.

In summary, a comprehensive match of all these properties ensures that the IR flare presents a believable representation of an aircraft in the infrared spectrum, which is essential for evading detection or misleading enemy sensors.