Method and Apparatus for Acquiring Accurate Background Infrared Signature Data on Moving Targets

A method for measuring an infrared signature of a moving target includes: tracking the moving target with a tracking system along a path from a start position to an end position, measuring infrared radiation data of the moving target along the path, repositioning the tracking system to the start position, retracing the path to measure the infrared radiation data of the background, and determining the infrared signature of the moving target by comparing the infrared radiation data of the moving object with the infrared radiation data of the background without the moving object.