In a world where the unseen often poses the greatest threats, infrared and thermal imaging systems appear as silent guardians, illuminating the darkness with their unique vision. Be it a firefighter who navigates through thick smoke, relying on a handheld thermal camera to locate a trapped individual, or some military operation, where soldiers are equipped with thermal imaging gears that scan the surroundings piercing through the dark night to identify potential threats invisible to the human eye, infrared and thermal imaging systems are essential tools for enhancing safety and operational effectiveness across various fields.
These remarkable technologies have woven themselves into the fabric of our daily lives, enhancing safety in our homes, workplaces, and military fields while simultaneously serving as critical tools in military operations. From detecting heat leaks to guiding precision strikes in combat zones, infrared and thermal imaging systems are redefining how we perceive and interact with our environment.
As advancements continue to expand, these systems promise not only to deepen our understanding of the world around us but also to expand their utility across both civilian and military domains.
Every object above absolute zero emits some level of heat, and thermal cameras can easily capture that heat energy as infrared light. Infrared and thermal imaging is a process of using thermal imagers to ‘see’ heat-emitting objects, even in complete darkness and poor visibility conditions.
A common example is the night-vision glasses we use to detect objects in the dark. Infrared thermal imaging technology is becoming increasingly popular in various fields, including security, healthcare, the petroleum industry, construction sectors, transportation, environmental protection (such as forest fire prevention), and others. Infrared thermal imaging systems find their applications in:
The infrared and thermal imaging systems used today are based on technology originally developed for military purposes. Military IR thermal cameras are used for a range of applications including patrolling, weapon targeting, surveillance, detecting human targets, vehicles, and more. These systems enable the military to assess potential threats and act in a timely and effective manner.
As threats grow more complex and modern warfare becomes fast-moving and intense, global armies are modernizing their military arsenal by equipping soldiers with the latest surveillance technologies, including optronics systems like IR thermal imaging devices.
The Russia-Ukraine war highlights the active use of thermal imaging technology. Ukraine has been at war with Russia since 2014 and is leaving no stone unturned to strengthen its defense capabilities. Ukraine used thermal imaging to locate mines placed by Russian forces intended to slow down or injure its troops.
In a war-torn country like Ukraine, drones enhance defense capabilities. The military is focusing on developing its drone production and equipment to ensure victory in the war. Odd Systems—a Ukrainian company specializing in manufacturing first-person view (FPV) drones—is developing a new drone thermal imaging camera that will provide clear images of the battlefield even in low-light conditions. Additionally, the price of these devices will be significantly cheaper than other available options at approximately $270 per unit, according to the company.
In August 2024, Compass Engineering—a Ukrainian company—donated a new thermal imaging device with a screen to help detect Shaheds—unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). This device can detect Shaheds at distances up to 5 kilometers.
Russians are constantly using naval aviation to protect their fleet and coastal facilities from Ukrainian unmanned vessels. To counter Ukrainian naval drones, the Russian Black Sea Fleet is developing thermal imaging systems for use in FPV drones launched from helicopters.
Another thermal imaging system called ‘Vzglyad’ can detect human figures at distances up to 300 meters and recognize equipment at distances up to half a kilometer. The Vzglyad developed by the Vologda Optical-Mechanical Plant (VOMZ) is designed for transport applications; it is mounted on vehicle roofs to provide improved visibility. It uses infrared imaging technology with a matrix resolution of 640x512 pixels and displays real-time information on a monitor located in front of the driver. Plans are underway for mass production of the Vzglyad thermal imaging system targeting an output of up to 100,000 units annually.
The missile developed by Iran, the Fateh-110, has already been used in multiple military operations, including the Syrian Civil War, and against Kurdish targets in northern Iraq in 2018 and 2022. This solid-fueled short-range ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear or biological warheads, has been upgraded with the Fateh-e-Mobin guidance kit, featuring an infrared imaging sensor for enhanced terminal guidance accuracy.
Simultaneously, Israeli defense giant Elbit is adapting thermal imaging technology, originally designed for night vision in combat, for medical applications, showcasing its versatility beyond the battlefield.
The market for infrared and thermal imaging systems is interlinked with several industries due to widespread usage across sectors. Additionally, rising demand for advanced surveillance solutions across public and private sectors—including military and defense—contributes to the increased adoption of thermal imaging technologies.
Due to such widespread usage, mass production leads to decreased prices for thermal cameras. Consequently, cost reduction plays a vital role in adopting these systems. A major reason for demand growth can be attributed to rising military spending globally. Investments in advanced thermal imaging solutions for combat operations contribute significantly to growth in the global IR thermal imaging systems market.
Infrared and thermal imaging technologies have undergone remarkable transformations, evolving from elementary devices into sophisticated systems that enhance safety and efficiency across various sectors. This evolution is marked by innovations such as high-definition infrared cameras, miniaturization of sensors, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered analytics, and more. These innovative systems utilize advanced technologies to capture clearer real-time thermal images. Some recent advanced innovations include:
Launched on August 16th, 2024, the Electro Optical-Infrared (EOIR) ) payload aboard ISRO’s latest Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-08) represents a significant innovation in thermal imaging technology. Developed by the Space Applications Center (SAC-ISRO), EOIR features advanced mid-wave infrared (MIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) channels for high-resolution thermal imaging.
In July 2024, engineers at the University of Houston developed highly sensitive infrared thermometers and thermal cameras that can measure the continuous spectrum of light without direct contact with the subject being photographed. This new method overcomes challenges faced by conventional thermal imaging by eliminating wavelength and temperature dependency, making them valuable tools across various fields including military security, mechanical inspections, police surveillance, and medical diagnostics.
More than 540 million individuals globally are affected by diabetes; for them, non-invasive methods of measuring blood glucose levels without piercing the skin would be a great relief. DiaMonTech AG—a German-based company—is set to launch its innovative mid-infrared laser technology that can scan tissue fluid beneath the skin and analyze glucose molecules. While this technology is already available as a desktop device, the company is working on launching a smartphone-sized instrument soon. Miniaturization without loss of quality presents challenges; DiaMonTech uses Ophir Pyrocam to measure all laser developments.
With ongoing advancements paving the way for new applications, the future of infrared and thermal imaging systems looks promising. Soon we may have everyday glasses with integrated night vision capabilities thanks to new ultra-thin materials discovered by researchers in Australia. Manufactured using meta-surface-based up-conversion technology, researchers have found ways for night vision effects without bulky light-processing equipment.
The journey of infrared and thermal imaging is just beginning; with a global market value of ~US$ 3.3 billion in 2021, its impact will resonate far beyond what we can see. Technological expansion coupled with widespread adoption across various industries indicates that market value will grow at an annual rate exceeding 9% from 2022 to 2028—crossing US$ 6 billion by 2028.
In recent years, infrared technology has undergone further innovation through its integration with other cutting-edge technologies. For example, fusing infrared imaging with artificial intelligence has enhanced surveillance system capabilities—enabling automated threat detection and tracking.
Additionally, advancements in miniaturization have made infrared cameras more compact and portable opening up new possibilities in fields such as drones and wearable devices.
The journey from night vision to thermal imaging represents a remarkable evolution in infrared technology; what began as an effort to see in darkness has developed into diverse applications touching nearly every aspect of our lives.
WE ACCEPT
