Military Camouflage Tested Using Thermal Inspection Rig

A custom-built rig designed by Thermal Vision Research using FLIR thermal imaging cameras is being used by BCB International to test the latest advancements in camouflage materials By Sarah Simpson / 07 Jul 2023

Thermal Cameras

Discover cutting-edge solutions from 4 leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Military Camouflage Tested Using Thermal Inspection
Follow DA

Teledyne FLIR integrator Thermal Vision Research (TVR), is working with BCB International, to enable rigorous quality checks of camouflage technologies using thermal inspection.

BCB International provides bespoke camouflage materials that conceal equipment and personnel across a spectrum of different wavelengths to ensure that secrecy and safety work as one.

In tactical environments, being able to move around undetected is crucial and this extends beyond the limitations of human sight and digital surveillance – personnel must also be able to transcend thermography to ensure invisibility.

As camouflage technologies improve, so too does thermography, in order to be able to better pinpoint anomalies and provide insight when it’s needed most.

Using a custom rig built by TVR, using FLIR thermal imaging cameras, BCB is able to test their newest and most advanced camouflage netting up-close and under a wide range of frequencies, to see what shows up on thermography – and what does its job.

quality checks of camouflage technologies using thermal inspection

To ensure that their nettings are up to the challenge, they use three different FLIR thermal imaging cameras that operate across different wavelengths:

  • FLIR A62/61 for shortwave
  • FLIR X8500 for medium wave
  • FLIR A70 for long wave

This process means that BCB International can streamline critical testing in both a lab and field environments with the mobile rig, detecting anomalies from -45°C to 70°C.

As BCB ‘s range of high-tech camouflage materials – such as those used in military uniforms and netting – are designed to be fire resistant with anti-thermal properties to mask ambient heat emissivity, they must be able to conceal troops and equipment in almost any environment.

To ensure this, BCB worked with TVR in a closed environment, with the thermal imaging rig set up at a distance of 10 meters – which puts the high-tech camouflage under much greater scrutiny than it might face at long-range in the field.

Andrew Howell, Managing Director of BCB International explains: “We need to see what shows up by thermal imaging so we can see what accurately conceals and what doesn’t – and for this, we use FLIR thermography.

“This process is paramount to our operations as it allows us to identify any issues as they arise and means we can mitigate shortcomings before the product is deployed. We can see what works and what doesn’t, and in this scenario, if we can see something, we set to work refining it so that it can better protect personnel, vehicles and installations on the ground.”

Matthew Clavey, Director of integrator Thermal Vision Research, adds: “Whether the camouflage netting is being deployed over a tank or over artillery or supplies, they’ll invariably have different wavelength requirements. This is why it’s so important to test the heat emissivity of different materials across the spectrum of thermographic wavelengths – so we can track where heat is visible and identify any thermal dissipation to ensure this front-line defence technology performs as expected.”

Find suppliers & manufacturers of Camouflage and Concealment Equipment >>

Posted by Sarah Simpson Edited by Sarah Simpson, Content Manager with a passion for research and creating digital copy with a focus on new technology. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

New Tactical-Grade MEMS IMU from Inertial Labs

The three-axis IMU-H100 weighs just 160 grams and offers a gyro and accel bias of 1 deg/hr and 1 mg respectively

May 07, 2025
VectorNav Collaborates to Develop Iridium STL-Aided INS for GNSS-Denied Operations

VectorNav is collaborating with NAL research to develop Iridium STL-aided INS solutions for resilient navigation in GNSS-denied and degraded environments

May 07, 2025
Wireless X-Ray Imaging Solution for EOD Debuts at SOF Week

DTC and Cuattro are unveiling SafeSignal™ at SOF Week 2025, a secure wireless x-ray imaging solution for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), tactical, and homeland security operations

May 07, 2025
Trillium Engineering Demonstrates Precise GPS-Denied Geolocation on Group 2 UAS

Trillium Engineering’s GD-Loc, integrated with the HD55-MV gimbal on a Group 2 UAS, has demonstrated sustained Category 1 geolocation accuracy under GPS-denied conditions, enhancing critical ISR mission capabilities

May 07, 2025
New AI-Driven Security System Targets Rising Maritime Threats

ZeroEyes and Picogrid have launched Z-CAS, an AI-powered coastal defense system designed to detect and counter maritime threats to U.S. military assets

May 07, 2025
EIZO Introduces New GPGPU Card for Real-Time Video & AI Processing

EIZO Rugged Solutions introduces the Condor GR6S-AD2000, a rugged, SOSA-aligned 3U VPX video graphics card featuring NVIDIA’s RTX 2000 Ada GPU

May 06, 2025

Featured Content

Modular Head-Mounted Digital System for Real-Time Decision Support in Contested Environments

Galvion's new CORTEX™ system integrates compute, power, and data management into a modular helmet-mounted platform designed for modern tactical operations.

May 06, 2025
Partnership to Enhance Networking Capabilities for Defense Platforms

Amphenol Aerospace and BotBlox have partnered to distribute and integrate compact, rugged Ethernet hardware for defense platforms, enhancing networking capabilities and accelerating product development for uncrewed and mobile systems

May 01, 2025
Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.