What is chaff flare?

Chaff flare is a type of countermeasure used by military aircraft to distract and confuse enemy radar-guided missiles. It works by releasing small, thin pieces of aluminum or other materials into the air, which create a radar signature that may be similar to an aircraft. The onboard computer of the missile will be confused by the multiple signals and may focus on one of the chaff flares, allowing the aircraft to evade detection. Flares are also used to confuse infrared-guided missiles by creating a high-temperature source elsewhere, drawing the missile away from the aircraft. Chaff flares are usually deployed in large numbers to increase the likelihood of confusing incoming missiles.