Digital IR cameras applications in military

Digital IR cameras are one of many applications that use IR radiation generated from objects to generate a clear photo or video for that object. It’s used in many applications in industry, researches, and security.

In military applications the IR cameras are fixed on rifle scopes, tanks, helicopters and many military types of equipment for the purpose of scanning the battlefield and easily detecting and infiltrating targets at night.

In the past IR detection equipment was used in World War II, but it was heavy and large compared to what we have today; it used IR active technology which depends on radiating invisible IR radiation to scan the battlefield. Today the digital IR camera has a light weight and small size thanks to the 20th century electronic revolution which allowed electronic devices to be smaller and easier to handle. It uses IR passive detection technology, in which the IR radiation from objects is detected by different detection technologies, amplified up to five thousand times, electronically filtered to generate a clear picture for the object, and then converted to a digital photo to be clearer.

The range of the camera depends on the temperature of the object, and distance between the camera and the object, also the type of detection and filtration technology used in the digital IR camera, as there are many detection and filtration technologies like photo-conduction and photo-voltage technology, and many filtration technologies that mainly use electronic components for filtration. The digital IR camera in military applications have different design aspects, as it has to be more reliable, practical and equipped with data storage and measurement units. For example IR cameras on the rifle scopes don’t operate with AC power; it operates with DC battery power. The main challenge for military equipment using IR digital cameras is that the picture can be disturbed using laser radiation from the enemy side. The researches are still coming every day with new technologies, and the battle today is the battle of knowledge.

by TARIQ M. ALI

About the Author:

Mr Ali has experience in military equipment maintinance and development

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