Thermal target device

#Most modern weapon systems such as tanks and attack helicopters have thermal sights. Through its ability to sense infrared energy emissions, this sight allows the gunner to acquire, identify, and engage targets in darkness, smoke, fog and rain. Each potential target (vehicle) has a distinct infrared signature relative to heat emitting areas of the body and mode of operation, i.e. running or at idle. This sophisticated equipment has produced a need for a thermalized target which simulates the thermal signature as well as a visual silhouette. In other words the days of the simple "X" painted on a piece of plywood are over.

#One of the early thermal targets proposed for military use is represented by U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,670.

#However, most successful target systems employed today use electric heating elements referred to as thermal blankets. Typically, these units consist of a conductive coating on a sheet of plastic or paper with two thin copper buss bars attached parallel to each other along the edges of the coated area. The electrical resistance of the coating between the buss bars create heat as a current potential is induced across it.

#FIG. 1 is a front view, in section of a typical thermal target silhouette constructed in accordance with the present invention including a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical power supply and control means used in conjunction therewith;

#FIG. 2 is a partial side view in cross-section illustrating the components of a sandwich type construction of the thermal target such as shown in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the various layers comprising a sandwich construction of a thermal target incorporating the present invention.

#A thermal target constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a two dimensional silhouette representing a military target. As seen in FIG. 1, a tank vehicle is represented for illustration purposes, however other target forms may be used within the spirit of the present invention.

#Additionally, the structure providing additional support and/or for raising and lowering the target is not shown as such structure is conventional and well-known to those skilled in the art. Whether the thermal target is fixed in a vertical position or mounted for either horizontal or vertical movement is not directly relevant to the improvements and advantages of the present invention and therefore need not be described herein for understanding the operation of the present invention.

#As seen in FIG. 1, a supporting frame or layer 20 is configured to simulate the visual frontal silhouette of a tank vehicle. Depending upon the desired nature of the thermal target construction, i.e. rigid or flexible, layer 20 may comprise any common insulating or non-conducting material such as a suitable plastic, plywood or even a metal sheet covered with an insulating material.