With the development of infrared early warning detection technology and the improvement of militarized combat requirements,the infrared dim small target detection algorithm with low false alarm and high detection accuracy has been the focus of research at home and abroad.Firstly,the characteristics and detection difficulties of dim small targets are expounded from the aspects of imaging characteristics,mathematical model construction,and background clutter interference.Afterward,the algorithms of single frame dim small target detection proposed in recent years are introduced and classified,as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these algorithms.Finally,considering the practical application demands in the field of infrared early warning detection,the perspective of infrared dim small target detection algorithms is analyzed.