Battlefield illumination is technology that improves visibility for military forces operating in difficult low-light conditions. The risks and dangers to armies fighting in poor light have been known since Ancient Chinese times.[1] Prior to the advent of the electrical age, fire was used to improve visibility on the battlefield.
Modern armies use a variety of equipment and discharge devices to create artificial light. If natural light is not present searchlights, whether using visible light or infrared, and flares can be used.[2] As light can be detected electronically, modern warfare has accordingly seen increased use of night vision through the use of infrared cameras and image intensifiers.[3][4]
- ^ Sun Tzu. "IX: The Army on the March". The Art of War.
11: All armies prefer high ground to low and sunny places to dark
- ^ "Field Manual 20-60: Battlefield Illumination" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army. January 1970. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Jeff Tyson (27 April 2001). "How Night Vision Works". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ^ Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate - Fort Belvoir, VA Archived February 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine