What type of missile guidance system does the AIM-9X utilize?

• A. Active radar guidance
• B. Laser-guidance
• C. Inertial guidance
• D. Passive infrared

Answer: (D)

AIM-9X relies on a passive infrared seeker, meaning it detects the target by sensing heat signatures rather than emitting any signals. This imaging infrared capability allows the missile to lock onto and home in on the heat from an aircraft's engines and airframe from multiple angles without actively illuminating the target. It doesn’t use laser guidance (which would require a laser emitter or laser designator), inertial guidance alone (which would navigate without sensing the target), or active radar (which would emit radar energy to find the target). So the missile feeds infrared heat data to its guidance system to steer toward the target, making passive infrared the correct description.