A study on the infrared signature of a naval ship by the solar elevation was performed using the well known IR signature analysis software, ShipIR/NTCS. The contrast radiant intensity of a ship against the Eastern Sea background from sunrise to noon was investigated. Monthly averaged climate data for both January and July were applied to investigate the seasonal change in the signature. A study on the signature for different ship speeds was also carried out. Simulation results showed that the maximum signature in both wave-bands for a sea-level observer occurred at around 25~35 degrees of solar elevation and was highly dependent on the ship geometry rather than the solar irradiance.