Thermal target apparatus

A thermal target apparatus comprising:

• an at least one target body;
• an electrically conductive target material comprising a plurality of separate target strips positioned on a front surface of the at least one target body and arranged so as to form a target shape, each of the target strips having a surface area that is substantially equal to a surface area of each of the other target strips;
• a first length of electrically conductive delivery material positioned on the front surface of the at least one target body in abutting contact with a first end of each of the target strips;
• a second length of electrically conductive delivery material positioned on the front surface of the at least one target body in abutting contact with an opposing second end of each of the target strips;
• the first and second lengths of delivery material configured for delivering an electrical current to the target strips in parallel and having a resistance that is less than a resistance of the target strips;
• an at least one power source in electrical communication with the first and second lengths of delivery material for selectively providing an electrical current thereto which, in turn, delivers the electrical current to the target strips;
• and
• an at least one controller in electrical communication with the at least one power source for selectively adjusting the electrical current produced by the at least one power source;
• whereby, the electrical energy in the target strips is converted into heat which creates a thermal target that is visible to thermal optics.

A thermal target apparatus comprising:

• an at least one target body;
• an electrically conductive target material comprising a plurality of separate target strips positioned on a front surface of the at least one target body and arranged so as to form a target shape, each of the target strips having a surface area that is substantially equal to a surface area of each of the other target strips;
• a first length of electrically conductive delivery material positioned on the front surface of the at least one target body in abutting contact with a first end of each of the target strips;
• a second length of electrically conductive delivery material positioned on the front surface of the at least one target body in abutting contact with an opposing second end of each of the target strips;
• the first and second lengths of delivery material configured for delivering an electrical current to the target strips in parallel and having a resistance that is less than a resistance of the target strips;
• an at least one cover layer positioned overtop of the target strips so as to substantially sandwich the target strips between the cover layer and the front surface of the at least one target body;
• an at least one power source in electrical communication with the first and second lengths of delivery material for selectively providing an electrical current thereto which, in turn, delivers the electrical current to the target strips;
• and
• an at least one controller in electrical communication with the at least one power source for selectively adjusting the electrical current produced by the at least one power source;
• whereby, the electrical energy in the target strips is converted into heat which creates a thermal target that is visible to thermal optics.