Study on Surface Characteristics and Defense Applications for EO/IR Signature Reduction

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors play a crucial role in military operations for target detection and identification. Reducing infrared detectability is a key factor in enhancing the survivability of weapon systems. In this study, we experimentally analyzed the impact of surface reflectivity and emissivity on EO/IR sensor detection performance. A comparative study was conducted between a high-emissivity matte surface and a high-reflectivity gold-coated surface. The results demonstrated that low-emissivity (high-reflectivity) targets significantly reduced infrared signals in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectrum, effectively decreasing detectability. Based on these findings, we propose design strategies for weapon systems to enhance EO/IR stealth capabilities, discussing the applicability of surface coating technologies and infrared signal reduction techniques. Additionally, we highlight the necessity of developing EO/IR signature reduction materials and modeling technologies for future defense applications.