Concept Smoke Systems Supports MoD in Developing Prototype Training Accessory for Thermal Imaging in Smoke-Filled Environments

Concept Smoke Systems has once again proven its innovation and responsiveness by assisting the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the rapid development of a heated plinth prototype for the FTS Box (Fire Training Simulator). The goal of the collaboration was to create a training solution that would help troops identify heat signatures using thermal imaging equipment while operating in smoke-obscured environments.

Bridging Realism with Technology

Modern military operations frequently require soldiers to operate in conditions where visibility is severely limited—whether by darkness, weather, or deliberate smoke deployment. To overcome these challenges, forces often rely on thermal imaging cameras mounted to their weapons or used in handheld form, allowing them to detect body heat and equipment through dense smoke or fog.

To enhance the realism of training for these scenarios, the MoD needed a solution that could simulate a heat-emitting target inside a smoke-filled environment. Concept Smoke Systems stepped in with both technical expertise and an innovative mindset, helping to bring the idea from an early-stage concept to a working prototype in just a few months.

The Heated Plinth: Function and Design

The prototype plinth was designed to integrate seamlessly with Concept’s existing FTS Box, a widely used fire training simulator capable of replicating a fire using powerful LEDs that reflect through a smoke-filled environment and an amplified loudspeaker that can crackle like a fire. The addition of the heated platform allowed the simulator to present a thermal target that could be identified through standard military thermal imaging equipment.

This innovation allowed military personnel to practice locating, identifying, and engaging heat signatures in environments with reduced visibility—closely simulating real-life scenarios such as building clearance operations, hostage rescues, or battlefield navigation through smoke and dust.

The partnership also reinforced Concept Smoke Systems’ commitment to agile development and real-world problem solving. The speed at which the prototype was developed—moving from an idea to a functional training tool in just a few months—demonstrates both the company’s technical agility and its dedication to supporting UK defence.

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Equipment used:

B1

FTS Box