Smoke contains small particles. Its diameter is 1-10 micrometer of liquid, solid or fog that is dissipated in the air as aerosol. The falling-down velocity is related to the size of smoke. For formation of camouflage smoke, the presence of smoke composition, delivery system and rate of wind are necessary.
In order to have effective obscuration, characteristics such as size, amount and color of smoke should be taken into consideration. To produce obscuring smoke, in addition to smoke producing material and smoke dissipating system, the wind speed is also necessary. The obscuring smoke has various applications such that it is used for designation, deception, covering and obscuring different targets. One of the main applications of artificially produced smoke is screening tactical operation in the battle area and obscuring or designating military targets.
Although smoke is not considered as a lethal weapon and combat tool, its utilization always has been considered as a tactic to mitigate the operational capability of an enemy. The obscuring smoke is also used as a screen in an operation theater to cover targets against electromagnetic waves, and hence, it renders the enemy's combat tools ineffective through obscuring their visibility and the elector-optic equipment. Smoke is a useful enabler for covering targets and protecting forces, installations, equipment and deception of the enemy in military operations.
The obscurant smoke has appropriate material, specific formulation and various dissipation systems at any electromagnetic wavelength region (visible region of 0.4-0.7 microns, very near, near and far infrared with wavelengths between 0.9-14 microns and radar region between 1-30 millimeter, corresponding to about 10-300 GHz). This article discusses and investigates an brief background of smoke, its various types, objectives of smoke operations, classification of smoke application, smoke generating material, effective factors in selecting smoke generating material, types of smoke distribution systems and its limitations, as well.
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