Abstract: Since the advent of the first infrared guidance system, its excellent properties countries have invested a lot of effort to study the infrared guidance technology. After the rapid development of three generations of the detector type changing, it has made a lot of sophisticated applications. The past 20 years, the application of imaging infrared seeker technology -infrared imaging guided weapons, wars abroad have played a decisive role. And with the scientific and technological progresses and changes in battlefield needs, infrared imaging technology is faced new opportunities and challenges. In this article, the course of development of IR imaging guidance technology and weapons was described, and the characteristics and development trend of IR imaging guidance technology in modern war was discussed. Finally, the summary of the status and expectations was elaborated.