A detection system comprising detection processing means, spectral discrimination means, and temporal tracking and declaration processing means which cooperate to detect and declare a missile launch. A spatial filter isolates discrete spectral features in an image from a detector array. The discrete spectral features must pass a threshold, which may be adaptive. In a spectral discrimination step, the pixel-to-pixel separation for those pixels passing the spatial filter step is compared to a predetermined pixel spacing. The predetermined pixel spacing is determined from the optical setup and a spectral feature of interest that is contained within the emission from, for example, an ignited rocket motor or other fired projectile. In a temporal step, the pixels that have met the other criteria are tracked as candidate detections, which are declared a threat if they display characteristics of a moving threat, e.g., a MANPADS missile, RPG, mortar or the like.