Every naval vessel can be detected and identified on the basis of its characteristics. The reduction of signature or matching it to the surrounding environment are one of the key tasks regarding survivability on a modern battlefield. The typical coatings applied on the outer surfaces of vessels are various kinds of paints. Their purpose is to protect the hull from aggressive sea environment and to provide camouflage in the visual spectrum as well as scatter and deflect microwave radiation. Apart from microwave and visual, infrared is most important spectral band used for detection purposes. In order to obtain effective protection in infrared the thermal signature of a vessel is required. It is determined on the basis of thermal contrast between a vessel itself and actual background and depends mostly on radiant properties of the hull. Such signature can be modified by altering apparent temperature values or the directions, in which the infrared radiation is emitted. The paper discusses selected methods of modification of vessel's infrared signature and effectiveness of infrared camouflage. Theoretical analyses were preceded by experimental measurements. The measurement-class infrared cameras and imaging spectroradiometers were used in order to determine the radiant exitance from different surface types. Experiments were conducted in selected conditions taking into account solar radiation and radiation reflected from elements of the surrounding scenery. Theoretical analysis took into account radiant angular properties of a vessel hull and attenuation of radiation after passing through the atmosphere. The study was performed in MWIR and LWIR ranges.

Date Published: 18 May 2012
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 8355, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XXIII, 83551H (18 May 2012); doi: 10.1117/12.919040

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8355:
Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XXIII
Gerald C. Holst; Keith A. Krapels, Editor(s)