Ok, this is just a summary of some news I posted on another forum, but thought a crosspost here might be of interest.
Seems that the US .MIL has developed a new toy - the TCAD - or Thermal Collimated Aiming Device.
This will replace the AN/PEQ2A and can be seen by the Clip On Night Vision Device - Thermal ( CNVD-T ) and other thermal viewers out to 1000m and is intended for identifying targets ( human ) and will be used by USSOCOM.
From the description -
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The TCAD development shall provide an out-of-band pointer solution to Special Operations Forces (SOF) operators. The TCAD, when mounted on a MIL-STD-1913 rail, will allow SOF operators to accurately fire on enemy targets in combat at ranges from 200 meters to 1000 meters while reducing risk of detection. The pointer is not detectable using near infrared (NIR) cameras and tube-based goggles.</div></div>
That means that;
a) It's a laser.
b) It's operating at LWIR - ie, 8 to 16 micron.
c) It can't be detected with NVGs or NODs or even SWIR/MWIR cameras.
d) You can't spot the beam even if it's on you and you probably can't feel it either unless you're undressed and even then it's questionable as to whether you would realise you were being targetted.
e) You can't see the beam even if you're using thermal NODs.
f) It's pretty damn cool. ( Yeah actually, it's hot.. Get it? )
At 1000m, this little device will leave a mark just 12" across...
So, I know the question has come up before and it's always been "There are no target designators for thermals"...
Think again...
Sometimes technology really surprises me. This is one of those times.
Regards
David.
Seems that the US .MIL has developed a new toy - the TCAD - or Thermal Collimated Aiming Device.
This will replace the AN/PEQ2A and can be seen by the Clip On Night Vision Device - Thermal ( CNVD-T ) and other thermal viewers out to 1000m and is intended for identifying targets ( human ) and will be used by USSOCOM.
From the description -
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The TCAD development shall provide an out-of-band pointer solution to Special Operations Forces (SOF) operators. The TCAD, when mounted on a MIL-STD-1913 rail, will allow SOF operators to accurately fire on enemy targets in combat at ranges from 200 meters to 1000 meters while reducing risk of detection. The pointer is not detectable using near infrared (NIR) cameras and tube-based goggles.</div></div>
That means that;
a) It's a laser.
b) It's operating at LWIR - ie, 8 to 16 micron.
c) It can't be detected with NVGs or NODs or even SWIR/MWIR cameras.
d) You can't spot the beam even if it's on you and you probably can't feel it either unless you're undressed and even then it's questionable as to whether you would realise you were being targetted.
e) You can't see the beam even if you're using thermal NODs.
f) It's pretty damn cool. ( Yeah actually, it's hot.. Get it? )
At 1000m, this little device will leave a mark just 12" across...
So, I know the question has come up before and it's always been "There are no target designators for thermals"...
Think again...
Sometimes technology really surprises me. This is one of those times.
Regards
David.
