SWIR Imaging in Military Smoke Screening Scenarios

Gaining a Tactical Edge with SWIR Vision

In today’s military operations, concealment can determine the outcome of a mission. One of the most common counter-surveillance tactics is the deployment of screening smoke, dense clouds used to obscure troop movements, reposition vehicles, or cover strategic withdrawals.

As concealment methods become more sophisticated, detection technologies must evolve as well. This field demonstration examined how short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging performs in environments where military-grade smoke is specifically designed to defeat conventional vision systems.

Objective and Test Setup

The goal of the trial was straightforward: determine whether a SWIR imaging system, combined with advanced optics, could maintain visibility in conditions that render standard cameras ineffective.

Testing was conducted at a dedicated smoke-screening facility built to replicate realistic battlefield conditions. The imaging system consisted of:

Footage was captured of a soldier and a vehicle moving through dense, non-IRR screening smoke. For direct comparison, identical scenes were recorded in both the visible spectrum and the SWIR range.

Visible vs. SWIR: A Clear Difference

The contrast in performance was immediate.

In the visible spectrum, the smoke completely obscured both the soldier and the vehicle. No usable detail remained, only a dense visual barrier.

In the SWIR band, operating at 1850 nanometers and supported by an LP1850 filter, the results were dramatically different. The subjects remained visible, with clear outlines and discernible movement. Position and motion could be tracked with strong contrast, even in heavy smoke conditions.

The demonstration confirmed that SWIR imaging can provide actionable visual intelligence in environments specifically designed to block conventional optics.

Operational Impact

Maintaining situational awareness during active maneuvers or withdrawal phases is critical. The ability to detect motion and confirm positions under heavy smoke coverage significantly enhances both mission effectiveness and personnel safety.

Applications include:

  • Surveillance and reconnaissance
  • Target detection and acquisition
  • Navigation in obscured environments
  • Force protection and threat assessment

The capability to “see through” screening smoke fundamentally shifts engagement dynamics, giving operators a measurable advantage when visibility is intentionally compromised.

The Role of Advanced Optics

A key contributor to the system’s performance was the Kowa LM25HC-VIS-SW lens.

Engineered for imaging across both visible and SWIR wavelengths, this lens maintains precise focus throughout the spectrum without requiring refocusing. Its design incorporates extra-low dispersion glass and broadband coatings to maximize transmission efficiency and image clarity in SWIR applications.

When paired with the Emberion camera, the result was a stable, high-contrast imaging solution capable of performing reliably in demanding, unpredictable field conditions.

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