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Interesting, didn't know about this 'race to thermal IR'. But what I do know is that op optical components suitable for thermal imaging systems are under export
by wnkrshm 9y ago
Interesting, didn't know about this 'race to thermal IR'. But what I do know is that op optical components suitable for thermal imaging systems are under export control in the EU. So at least as a corporate entity you cannot easily export them.
- int_19h 9y agoIn US, as well. In fact, all kinds of things that have to do with both active IR, and protection against it, are regulated. For example, there's a popular firearm (and other things, technically, but it's mostly used for firearms) coating called Cerakote. Comes in a bunch of colors, including those commonly used for camouflage - indeed, you can mix and match to create some very impressive patterns. Example: http://i64.tinypic.com/21bw5lc.jpg http://i64.tinypic.com/21bw5lc.jpg This is available to civilians, and pretty popular - mostly for aesthetics, but it does work well as a camouflage. The catch is that, being an epoxy polymer coating, it reflects NIR really well - so for someone observing through a night vision device, these things basically glow, especially if an infrared illuminator is also used. But Cerakote also does have a version that was specifically designed to reduce the near-infrared signature to the point where it works just as well as camo in NIR, as it does in visual spectrum. Except it's only available to military and police - and I believe this is, in fact, because of some law that restricts them from offering it on civilian market.
- int_19h 9y agoAs for the "arms race" in IR, here's one specific example: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/10/12/swir-mawl-clad-now-even-invisible-ir-laser/ http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/10/12/swir-mawl-clad...