Fans of action, thrillers, and science fiction movies have often seen how the "omnipresent eye" of thermal imaging cameras has detected movie characters behind brick and concrete walls, glass, metal surfaces, and underwater and wooden constructions. One gets the impression that it is impossible to hide from this "monster." But it was invented and made by man. And if so, the impossible can always be made possible. They are often misinformed about infrared imaging. What do thermal cameras "see," and how can you hide from them? That's what we'll try to find out. Especially during military operations, the attacking and defending sides are primarily interested in thermal imagers, which, according to surveys, are among the five most popular devices. And with thermal cameras, the next question is: how can we hide from the same technology as the adversary? After all, we're not on a movie set, and if you wrap yourself in aluminum foil, you can't disappear from the thermal imaging screen. Let's start with the fact that thermal imaging cameras do not "see" heat but record it with special sensors and then assign a color corresponding to a specific temperature range. Thus, on the screen, in the contour images, we see a color field "woven" with red, pink, gray, and black flecks. This is a thermal image processed accordingly and re-eaten in specific thermal colors on the screen, where the dark colors are cold and the light and red are warm. Naturally, people, animals, and other warm-blooded creatures will always be shifted to the "warm" field of view.
What is thermal imaging technology?
Man lives in a world where visible light is shorter than the long wavelengths emitted by man. Therefore, we are deprived of the ability to see them. Thermal radiation in the infrared range is "captured" by sophisticated instruments such as thermal imaging cameras. They see heat waves coming from the body or clothing heated by the body. It doesn't matter how well or far you have hidden your object of observation. If the heat or cold exceeds the standard background, they are detected from tens to thousands of meters away, with robust surveillance systems and suitable sights. The important thing is not to confuse infrared scopes with night vision devices. The latter can "see" objects in minimal light conditions but are useless in fog, snowfall, or moonless nights. This is not an obstacle for a thermal imaging camera. However, to understand and build some "protection" against thermal imaging cameras, it is necessary to know and understand the design itself, the device, and the principles of its operation. An infrared image consists of infrared rays converted into visible images. This image, taken in the visible part of the spectrum, is characterized by specific features. They play an essential role in analyzing contrasts of the optical characteristics of object surfaces in the infrared compared to the visible part of the spectrum. In other words, with thermal imaging technology, objects not visible in conventional reconnaissance photos become visible in infrared photographs. An ordinary still image, for instance, will not be able to convey some indirect signs of people in a particular area, camouflaged equipment, and the like. When analyzing images of the same place, an infrared image showed something that a camera with excellent optics could not. We found areas of damaged trees and bushes, and a detailed analysis showed fresh-cut vegetation, which was later used to camouflage machinery and other objects. Another feature of the thermal imager is the formation of a thermal image. In addition to reflected radiation, its radiation is also involved here. The intrinsic radiation is determined by the emissivity and temperature on the surface of objects, while the reflected radiation provides insight into the energy state of the radiating body. Thanks to this, it is possible to identify warm areas, subsequently using these thermal images as a source of information about the temperature state of the object. Another exciting feature of thermal imaging is to obtain a virtual thermal image of the place where an airplane or other equipment was some time ago. Follow the thermal footprint.
An exciting feature of the thermal imager is the ability, in the absence of temperature differences, to find the object, referring to the differences in the emissivity of its surface. At early dawn, the tank cooled down and "merged" with the natural background. This one will not help him to hide. The heat of its metal will give it away. And this applies not only to people, animals, and machinery. By visualizing thermal processes, it is possible to discover characteristics that were not even guessed about in ordinary objects. Swampy terrain under a layer of green cover, the density of rock underfoot, heterogeneity of subsoil layer, hidden disguised deep objects. Is it that hopeless?
How can you hide from thermal imaging technology?
You need to know what you're dealing with before you make a decision. And the data from the developers of thermal imaging cameras is not very reassuring. The detection range of a thermal imaging camera is about twenty kilometers under adverse weather conditions. Dense fog, smoke, carbon dioxide, and water vapor do not prevent a thermal image of the observed object. Electronic interference and excellent camouflage, which can deceive or interfere with the video camera, do not affect the thermal devices. Fire positions concealed by abundant vegetation, bushes, and trees can be seen as if on the palm of his hand. Even the developers smugly clarify that it is possible to reduce visibility, but it will not be possible to hide completely. For us, it seems, this is terrible news. But let's try to formulate our own opinion. It will be tough to hide if a thermal imaging camera scans you. That's if you know what you're doing. Then there is a real chance of avoiding detection, even with a thermal imaging camera.
First, let's define the task, where our main principle in the game of "hide and seek" with a thermal imaging camera is the first action - don't "glow" at the touch screen display. We will immediately recall that a few years ago, American and Singaporean scientists made a discovery, according to which they have learned to create the surface of the material "deceptive," thanks to which, when shooting in the infrared range, the temperature of the object is determined incorrectly. Such "coverings" emit infrared light corresponding to the content of the environment, which creates the effect of invisibility to infrared cameras. The technology promises to "adjust" to temperatures higher or lower than the actual temperature. Experiments were conducted with tungsten-doped vanadium dioxide to make the coating, which can change its conductive properties at specific temperatures. In addition, the developers of this miracle cover have not only learned to mask the infrared signal but also managed to create false signals for infrared cameras. This kind of technology will be in demand primarily by the military industry. As a good acquaintance of mine used to say, we've heard of them but haven't seen them. So, for now, all we have is some knowledge and a desire to become invisible for thermal imaging cameras. At least for some time.
As practice shows, in the case of camouflage from the thermal radiation, inexhaustible famous wit. Some advice putting on a chemical protection raincoat; others argue that abundantly moistened with water raincoat will increase the level of protection. They say a fireman's high-temperature fireproof suit, which covers the entire body practically, will give excellent results. Maybe if you don't have to move around with that weight, let's move on to more real protection options. In hot weather, oddly enough, trees get so hot during the day that they may well cover you with their warmth for a while.
By the way, big and sparse tree crowns will also keep you safe from the helicopter's onboard camera, most of which pierces through the light foliage. When moving over hilly terrain, use the landscape for your camouflage. The thermal imager cannot see through the hills behind you. Solid walls and partitions are your best ally against a thermal imager. True, do not forget that a plasterboard partition wall and a half-brick wall will not hide you.
Space blankets, if you wrap yourself with them, do not work. To use them effectively, you need to choose a comfortable, protected place and cover yourself with this "space" miracle, tightly plugging all the cracks where the heat can escape. The heat from your body will bounce off the inside of the blanket and back in. The problem is that the blanket will heat up rather quickly. If you find a heat source in the form of a heat fan or industrial air conditioner pumping heat out of the building, you can safely disguise yourself next to these devices. They will cover you with their warmth. In warm weather, stay close to water; in high humidity, the retained heat will reduce your background contrast. In the woods, it's an excellent option to camp out in a small clearing, covering the top with branches and covering it all with chamois. Winter is not the best time to play hide-and-seek with a thermal imager. Their effectiveness, scanning the uniformly cold background for heat, is unmatched.
In case of danger, try to create your von to evade pursuit. Make several fires not far from each other by gathering everything you have at hand. Magazines, newspapers, blankets, shoes, things that emit a lot of soot and burning particles, tires, and everything else. The main thing is to achieve a hot flame to fool the thermal imager and acrid black smoke to escape from the dangerous spot. Oddly enough, a good option is to hide behind glass, which will "repel" the heat rays unless your movement is monitored by a system that combines thermal and optical imaging. If not by one, then by the other.
However, do not flatter yourself and hope for luck, believing that thermal imaging - is a device from which you can hide without complicating your life. For example, do not believe the advisors believe that cotton pants with a jacket and thermal underwear in the load will solve your problem. They will, but not for long until the underwear is warmed up.
Do not use camouflage karats or various foil mats, hide behind things, smear abundantly with mud, use wetsuits and arctic clothing, and try to hide in the bushes and grass. It all doesn't work.
To conclude our conversation, remember - that thermal imaging is not a magic wand, not something that came to us from the next galaxy. It's a device invented and developed by a man that looks at the world differently. And if you create a messy picture for it, which you have to fiddle with, it will give you a certain amount of time. And time is chance.