System, method, and apparatus for improving the stealth capability of an optical instrument

An attachment for an optical instrument, comprising:

• a tube having an axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface;
• a light-absorbing treatment on at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube;
• and
• a planar inclined optical flat mounted inside the tube between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the tube is free of light-transmissive instruments from the optical flat to the distal end of the tube, the optical flat having a light absorbing element mounted thereto for reducing light emitted from the distal end of the tube.

A method of improving a stealth capability of an optical device, comprising:

• (a) providing a tube having therein an optical instrument and an optical flat, wherein the tube includes an optical instrument on a proximal side of the optical flat, and wherein the tube is free of light-transmissive instruments on a distal side of the optical flat from the optical flat to a distal end of the tube, (b) placing a light-absorbing treatment on an inner surface of the tube and a light-absorbing element on the optical flat;
• (c) passing light from a scene through a distal end of the tube, the optical flat, and the optical instrument;
• (d) absorbing light entering the distal end with the light-absorbing treatment;
• and
• (e) absorbing light reflected by the optical instrument with the light-absorbing element such that light emitted from the tube is reduced.