Every company in the tactical surveillance industry claims to make rugged, reliable thermal and visual imaging systems that are the top performers in the field. How can you tell if the thermal imaging systems or the military infrared equipment will survive in the real world, and if it will perform as expected? While there is no substitute for actual experience with the system, purchasing decisions often have to be made without the benefit of extensive field experience.
Another way to help determine if the thermal imaging system or military infrared equipment will perform as expected is through independent, third-party testing. This provides verified test data showing the results of subjecting the system to operational conditions that are representative of those experienced when in service.
MIL-STD-810F provides guidelines for such testing, though it is important to understand the portions of the standard that are applicable to the equipment and operational environment. This Mil-Standard is frequently misunderstood and misquoted, even by vendors in the industry.
While many vendors state that their thermal imaging systems or military infrared equipment have successfully undergone testing, getting them to reveal the actual results (and explain the test methodology) is often difficult or misleading. In many cases, this is due to the fact that the vendors are frequently re-sellers or integrators, rather than the actual designers and engineers of their systems.
However, the in-house engineering team at IEC Infrared Systems (IEC) will provide qualified customers with reports on test methodology and test results, to demonstrate the quality and reliability of our thermal imaging and infrared night vision systems. IEC’s engineers will also provide qualified customers with numerical modeling results showing imaging system performance for the specific customer configuration, using the industry-standard
NVTherm IP simulation code, as well as actual imaging performance test data.
For more information about our military infrared equipment or
thermal imaging systems, contact us at (440) 234-8000, and see for yourself the difference that dealing directly with the engineering and design team can make.
