What is a notable advantage of passive seekers?

A notable advantage of passive seekers is their ability to "fire and forget" without warning. This means that once a passive seeker is launched and has acquired its target, it does not require further information or input from the operator to track and engage the target. This is particularly advantageous in combat scenarios, as it allows for greater stealth and the ability to disengage, minimizing the risk of detection and countermeasures by the enemy.

Passive seekers rely on the natural emissions from a target, such as radar signals, infrared radiation, or acoustic signatures, rather than having an active guidance system that transmits signals. This enhances the element of surprise and can be crucial in situations where active targeting could reveal the launch platform's location.

The other options focus on characteristics that either do not apply to passive seekers or imply capabilities that are not inherent advantages of this technology. For instance, the requirement for target illumination does not align with the functionality of passive seekers, which do not need an external source to detect the target. Additionally, while passive seekers can perform well in various environmental conditions, they can still be affected by weather factors, especially when relying on specific wavelengths for guidance.