Camouflage in the Non-Visible Region

Abstract

To provide camouflage in non-visual range of spectrum, i.e., against NIR detection devices working in the range of 700–1500 nm, it becomes essential that camouflaging equipment should be painted/dyed with the pigments/dyes having NIR reflectance values similar to that of backgrounds in respective shades. Generally, the shades of vegetation and desert regions are confined to olive green, brown, deep brunswick green, light stone and dark stone colour, so it is required that IR reflectance values of pigment formulation must match with the IR reflectance values of these shades of the background vegetation or desert terrains. An elaborate study has been carried out on these pigment formulations coated on cotton and nylon substrate materials. The study has brought out the reflectance trend of the formulations, role of each constituent pigment on the reflectance values and effect of dilution or concentration of pigment formulation on the reflectance properties. These studies would pave the way for preparation and optimization of various formulations with respect to IR reflectance values and their use for camouflage purpose in non-visual range of electromagnetic wave length.