Theory and Effectiveness of Battlefield Illumination
– Ancient armies preferred to fight with the Sun behind them to blind the enemy.
– Adverse weather conditions and enemy actions can limit the effectiveness of illumination.
– Thermal imaging devices can partially penetrate obstacles like fog and smoke.
– Bright areas expose the size and number of military forces.
– Backlighting can obscure movement and numbers, making it difficult for the enemy to react quickly.
Historical Examples of Battlefield Illumination
– Ottoman Empire used lanterns to defeat Safavid army in the Battle of Torches.
– British Royal Navy used searchlights to prevent Egyptian forces from staffing artillery batteries.
– Canal Defence Light was a British tank fitted with a powerful searchlight for night-time attacks.
– Moonlight Batteries provided artificial moonlight for ground operations during WWII.
– Royal Air Force used target indicator flares to indicate the aiming point for bombers.
Types of Battlefield Illumination
– Flares can mark positions for targeting, but their use has decreased with laser-guided and GPS weapons.
– M127A1 White Star Signal Flare Parachute was used by US ground forces in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
– LUU-2B flares provide ground illumination and have a burn time of 4-5 minutes.
– LUU-19B flares provide covert illumination in the near-infrared spectrum.
– Tripflares are used as a warning system to detect movement in a specific area.
Searchlights in Battlefield Illumination
– Searchlights combine a luminous source with a mirrored reflector to project a powerful beam of light.
– They have been used to create artificial moonlight on battlefields.
– They are usually large and portable devices.
– Carbon arc lamps are commonly used as the light source.
– Searchlights have been used in military operations since the late 19th century.
Battlefield Illumination Airborne System (BIAS)
– BIAS was an illumination system installed on modified cargo aircraft.
– It consisted of Xenon lamps, a power source, a heat exchanger pod, and a control console.
– Operation Shed Light was opened by the USAF to develop BIAS.
– The system provided powerful illumination for night strike, search and rescue, and ground operations.
– BIAS-equipped aircraft were vulnerable to enemy anti-aircraft fire and less effective than AC-130 gunships. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battlefield_illumination
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. 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. 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.
