Infrared target for military applications and its use

Claim 1

An electrically operated military target capable of emitting an infrared signal when an electric current from an electrical power source having two poles is passed therethrough, said target comprising a multiplicity of modules, each module corresponding to a thermal cue of a military threat asset, wherein each module is a unitary, composite, flexible, laminate comprising: (A) flexible, electrically insulating top and bottom layers, each layer having inner and outer surfaces; (B) a substantially continuous flexible, electrically conductive layer of substantially uniform thickness between said inner surfaces, wherein said electrically conductive layer is comprised of carbon; (C) at least two substantially parallel flexible, metallic busbars in contact with said electrically conductive layer each of said busbars having two ends; (D) a first electrical connector means for connecting both ends of one of said busbars to one pole of an electrical power source; (E) a second electrical connector means for connecting both ends of another of said busbars to the other pole of the electrical power source; Wherein said top layer and said bottom layer have edges, which are sealed together to thereby form an enclosed laminate containing the electrically conductive layer; and said outer surface of said top layer is covered by a flexible, thermal insulating pad containing a multiplicity of discrete air-containing cells through which said infrared signal can pass.

Claim 4

A method of live fire training using a military weapon provided with a thermal sight capable of detecting an infrared image, said method comprising providing an electrically operated military target in accordance with claims 1 or 2; generating an infrared image from the target by passing an electric current through the target; sensing the infrared image with the thermal sight; and firing the weapon at the sighted image.