The development of infrared detection is facing a severe challenge in the future since the battlefield situation is getting more and more complex.As the core of infrared-based weapons the infrared detector is developing towards higher sensitivity wider spectrum higher resolution lower power consumption smaller size and more intelligent ability.Through reviewing the long history of infrared detection and summarizing the urgent demands on military detecting the development tendency of next generation detector is studied.The development and achievements of the new generation infrared focal plane detection technology are introduced and the necessity for improving the system performance while controlling cost is emphasized.In the end the development of intelligent infrared focal plane array is given.