Thermal target apparatus

A thermal target apparatus comprising:

• an at least one target body constructed out of a thermally conductive AR500 steel or higher;
• an at least one heating element positioned in abutting contact with a rear surface of the at least one target body for selectively heating the at least one target body via thermal conduction;
• an at least one controller in electrical communication with the at least one heating element for selectively adjusting a temperature produced by the at least one heating element;
• and
• an at least one power source in electrical communication with each of the at least one controller and heating element for selectively providing power thereto;
• whereby, the entire at least one target body is capable of substantially matching a temperature produced by the at least one heating element, such that the at least one target body is visible to thermal optics.

A thermal target apparatus comprising:

• an at least one target body constructed out of a thermally conductive AR500 steel or higher;
• an at least one heating element positioned in abutting contact with a rear surface of the at least one target body for selectively heating the at least one target body via thermal conduction, the at least one heating element comprising:
• a silicone heating pad;
• an aluminum perimeter frame extending about a perimeter of the heating pad;
• and
• a heating coil embedded within the heating pad;
• an at least one controller in electrical communication with the at least one heating element for selectively adjusting a temperature produced by the at least one heating element;
• and
• an at least one power source in electrical communication with each of the at least one controller and heating element for selectively providing power thereto;
• whereby, the entire at least one target body is capable of substantially matching a temperature produced by the at least one heating element, such that the at least one target body is visible to thermal optics.