How Do Forward Looking Infrared Radiometers (FLIR) Systems Function?

In the 1970s, the US military developed a technology they termed ‘FLIR’. This technology enabled these professionals to create images through fog, dust and various other obstructions that hindered or reduced visibility levels. FLIR devices typically use heat for creating these images. Many people tend to confuse FLIR with night vision. However, night vision cannot operate in conditions that have zero visibility levels. 

Aircrafts and satellites typically rely on thermal imaging systems as well. However, these systems will usually look sideways i.e. peripheral to the direction in which the plane or satellite is travelling. In contrast, the FLIR device will always look in the direction in which the device is moving. This is because FLIR devices often act as a set of artificial eyes for helping humans view things that would otherwise be invisible or obscure. 

FLIR systems will feature infrared technology that enables the device to sense the differences in the levels of heat in a specific area. Based on this, it will yield images that highlight these differences in temperature on the monitor. This capability makes FLIR systems invaluable. Because these devices operate on the principle of detecting heat, they do not require light for functioning. As such, they can yield images even in conditions of zero visibility.