heat-seeking
Follows warmth automatically
Heat-seeking describes something that homes in on a heat source, most often a missile that tracks the thermal signature of its target—typically a jet engine or exhaust: The plane deployed flares to confuse the heat-seeking missile.
Figuratively, heat-seeking can describe anything that gravitates toward warmth or, by extension, toward attention or conflict: a heat-seeking publicity hound.
Self-guided airborne weapon
- guidedLed with assistance
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- StingerPortable surface-to-air missile
- warheadMunition's explosive section
targeting · projectile · launcher · tracking · countermeasures · flares · interceptor · munitions
Limbless scaled reptile
- rattlesnakeViper with segmented tail noisemaker
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- preyAnimal being hunted
sensory · organ · hunting · nocturnal · detection · mammal · warm-blooded · thermoregulation
Continuing without pause
- pursuingSeeking to attain
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
- doggedStubbornly persevering
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
single-minded · aggressive · opportunistic · laser-focused · tenacious · unwavering · driven · ambitious
missile
Self-guided airborne weapon
- guidedLed with assistance
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- StingerPortable surface-to-air missile
warhead · targeting · projectile · launcher · tracking · countermeasures · flares · interceptor · munitions · payload
snake
Limbless scaled reptile
- rattlesnakeViper with segmented tail noisemaker
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
prey · sensory · organ · hunting · nocturnal · detection · mammal · warm-blooded · thermoregulation · adaptation
relentless
Continuing without pause
- pursuingSeeking to attain
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
- doggedStubbornly persevering
persistent · single-minded · aggressive · opportunistic · laser-focused · tenacious · unwavering · driven · ambitious · predatory
sensor
Input-detecting device
signature · radiation · tracker · guidance · system · camera · optics · wavelength · electromagnetic · spectrum
- thermal sensingthermometer, thermal camera, infrared sensor, temperature sensor, thermal imaging
- guidance systemsgyroscope, accelerometer, GPS guidance, magnetometer, flight computer
- military infraredFLIR, infrared cameras, infrared sensors, thermal imaging, thermal cameras
heat-seekingradar-guided
Steered by wave detection
unguided · laser-guided · wire-guided · dumb · radio-controlled