Infrared imaging and precision guidance systems are distinguished by their high imaging accuracy, robust concealment, and resilience to interference. These characteristics make them a pivotal area of contemporary and future warfare. The infrared window is an integral part of the infrared guidance system, being responsible for transmitting target signals, preserving aerodynamic configurations, and protecting internal precision optoelectronic components. Consequently, the window material must possess a high optical transmittance across the operational band and exhibit the superior strength and hardness. Hypersonic vehicles have challenges to infrared window materials, including extreme thermal shock, aerodynamic overload, degradation of optical and mechanical performance at high temperatures, and self-heat radiation that can interfere with target signals. At present, no material fully satisfies the demands of cutting-edge systems, making it imperative to develop a window material that offers a low radiation, a high strength, and a broadband transmittance at elevated temperatures.Commonly utilized infrared window materials encompass sapphire, spinel, AlON, magnesium fluoride, yttrium oxide, and Y2O3-MgO nanocomposite ceramic materials. Sapphire also as α-alumina monocrystal is characterized by its high strength and broad high transmittance properties. It boasts a well-established industrial chain and is extensively employed in various aircraft models. While polycrystalline alumina transparent ceramics offer lower production costs, compared to sapphire, and they have yet to reach the same level of application. Spinel and AlON both possess cubic structures and demonstrate great transmission rates from near-ultraviolet to mid-infrared spectrums. AlON exhibits superior mechanical properties akin to those of sapphire, making them popular choices for aircraft infrared windows. However, these three materials share a significant drawback, i.e., an excessively high heat emissivity at high temperatures. This can lead to thermal barrier complications due to spontaneous radiation interference with target signals under intense aerodynamic heating. In addition, their shorter infrared absorption cut-off edges also result in pronounced transmission rate reductions at 5 micrometers, following a high-temperature blue shift. Note that sapphire and spinel both present challenges related to their inadequate mechanical performance at high temperatures. Researches on zirconia ceramics as infrared windows are limited, but their high bending strength and decent transmission performance are noteworthy. Y2O3 and MgF2 with the cubic structure exhibit superior transmission in the 3-5 micrometer band due to their low phonon energy and minimal spontaneous radiation coefficient. Their further infrared absorption cutoff edge mitigates an impact of high temperature on the mid-infrared wave transmission. However, their mechanical properties do not withstand the intense heat shock encountered at a hypersonic speed. Y2O3-MgO nanocomposite ceramics, characterized by extremely small grain size from the pinning effect, combine a high transmission in mid-infrared, low radiation and high strength at high temperatures. This makes them an ideal material for infrared windows in hypersonic aircraft. Summary and prospects The development of future hypersonic vehicles necessitates the exploration of new infrared window materials. Among the materials under consideration, Y2O3-MgO nanocomposite ceramics have attracted recent attention due to its superior low radiation, thermal shock resistance, and transmission properties at a high temperature. The existing researches predominantly focus on powder preparation processes and sintering techniques, with relatively less emphasis on material doping modifications. An important research aspect is to further reduce the grain size, while maintaining a high density. Meanwhile, the incorporation of magnesium oxide into Y2O3-MgO nanocomposite ceramics introduces a degree of hygroscopicity. The enhancement of corrosion resistance in materials presents a challenge that requires resolution.Infrared and radar composite guidance technology, characterized by its robust anti-interference capabilities and superior guidance accuracy, represents a pivotal aspect for future aircraft development. This necessitates that window materials have a low dielectric constant in the radar band. While Y2O3-MgO nanocomposite ceramics exhibit a higher dielectric constant and significant radar attenuation, MgF2 has a commendable transmission performance within the radar band. However, its mechanical properties are suboptimal. Consequently, the pursuit of high-strength, low-dielectric constant window materials is of great importance.The over-the-horizon working distance in infrared optoelectronic systems, coupled with the need for a large angle reconnaissance range, necessitates infrared windows that have the superior optical uniformity. These windows should be also larger in dimensions and feature the specific window shape designs. Compared to crystals, ceramics are more readily available in large sizes and offer a more cost-effective approach for processing specific shapes. Hot isostatic pressing is an effective method for achieving these requirements, but the gas cost continues to be relatively expensive.In numerous studies, the primary focus of characterizing the mechanical properties of materials is on the strength and hardness. However, there is a need to integrate properties such as Poisson’s ratio, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficient more comprehensively to augment thermal shock resistance in materials. Furthermore, the existing researches of infrared materials predominantly center on the performance characterization in room-temperature environments. The optical and mechanical properties at high temperatures need to be further investigated.