Drone Targeting with Thermal Paint
Give your drone operators a target that looks like the real thing through a thermal sensor. Our foldable 2D human-form targets use patented HeatPaint technology to put a true body-heat signature exactly where it matters – day or night.
Thermal Targets Built for Drone Training
Drones fitted with thermal cameras now find, track and engage targets around the clock. A plain plywood or paper target disappears on a thermal feed at night – so operators end up training on something they will never see in the field. Our HeatPaint drone targets fix that.
Front, back and side views of the foldable 2D thermal target
Built for Unmanned Systems Training
Night ISR & Surveillance
Practise detect, recognise and identify tasks with thermal payloads against a lifelike human signature in full darkness.
Operator & FPV Training
Build skills in target acquisition, tracking and approach using a target that behaves on screen like the real thing.
Sensor Testing & Evaluation
Verify thermal camera range, resolution and settings against a known, repeatable 30–35°C reference signature.
Target dimensions and electrode configuration
Heat Exactly Where a Sensor Looks for It
The target is engineered to replicate the human body by emphasising the critical heat signatures a thermal sensor picks up: the head, back shoulders and front hands. Each zone is coated with HeatPaint – our electrothermic coating that warms evenly across its whole surface when powered.
Each hand zone is wired in series with its adjacent shoulder zone, and the pairs run in parallel, giving a balanced, consistent signature across the target.
| Thermal profile | 30°C to 35°C on all painted zones (viewed directly) |
|---|---|
| Heated zones | Head, back shoulders (×2), front hands (×2) |
| Power | 12–24 V DC supply |
| Overall height | 1800 mm |
| Construction | Plywood with hinge at the horizontal midline |
See It the Way Your Drone Sees It
FLIR imaging of a powered target confirms the HeatPaint zones read as warm, human-like heat sources against a cool background. Front-facing zones show from the front and rear-facing zones show from the back – so the signature is right whichever way your drone approaches.
Front View
- Head (avg.)32.2°C
- Left hand30.9°C
- Right hand31.3°C
Back View
- Left shoulder35.0°C
- Right shoulder35.7°C
Readings taken with a FLIR thermal camera, target connected to a 12V supply.
FLIR images: front view (left) and back view (right)
From Vehicle to Live Lane
Each target folds in half for transport and locks upright in seconds, with its own support stand for stability in the field.
Unfold
Open the target at the midline hinge to its full 1800 mm height.
Lock & Stand
Slot the two long screws into the hinge to lock it upright, then fit the support stand.
Power Up
Connect a 12–24 V supply and the HeatPaint zones warm to a human-like signature.
Fly
Launch your drone and train against a target your thermal sensor can actually see.
Locking screws slot into the hinge (left); the target folds in half for transport (right)
Stay On Target – Day and Night
Talk to our team about thermal drone targets for your unit, range or training program. We can advise on quantities, power options and custom configurations.
