How does the Stinger missile differentiate between friendly and enemy aircraft?

The Stinger missile system's ability to differentiate between friendly and enemy aircraft relies on operator targeting. This involves the operator visually identifying the target before launch, ensuring that the missile is directed towards a confirmed enemy aircraft. The operator utilizes their situational awareness and any available identification friend or foe (IFF) systems to prevent targeting friendly units and to increase the chances of a successful engagement against hostile threats.

The other options do not accurately reflect how the Stinger missile operates. Advanced radar technology is not a feature of the Stinger system, which relies primarily on infrared homing rather than radar for guidance. Additionally, the missile does not automatically identify targets based solely on flight paths, as it requires human oversight to ensure accuracy. Lastly, stating that it does not differentiate at all overlooks the importance of operator involvement in identifying and confirming targets, which is a critical aspect of engagement strategy to minimize friendly fire incidents.