Decoy flares are primarily used to defeat which threat?

• A. Heat-Seeking Missiles
• B. Radar-Guided Missiles
• C. Acoustic Torpedoes
• D. Man-Portable Air Defense Systems

Answer: (A)

Flares are meant to defeat heat-seeking missiles by giving the missile a hotter infrared target than the aircraft. When a missile looks for the hottest source in its field of view, the bright, extremely hot flare attracts the seeker away from the airplane, causing the missile to steer toward the flare instead. The flare burns for a few seconds, providing a window for the pilot to maneuver or break the lock.

Radar-guided missiles rely on radar signals, not infrared heat, so flares don’t stop them the same way; they’re countered by radar countermeasures like chaff or active jamming. Acoustic torpedoes operate underwater using sound, so flares wouldn’t affect them. Man-portable air defenses can be infrared or other guidance types, but decoy flares are primarily designed to defeat heat-seeking threats, which is why this option is the best fit.