Our VS-21 series panels are specifically designed to replace the outmoded VS-17 panel, which are NOT thermally capable. The VS-17 was comprised of a bright orange / bright pink canvas material, with known problems concerning its lamination.

The Problem:

As recently as December 2002, the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) was wrestling with this issue. As a "Need Emphasis" for Lane Marking, the Center stated:

"Marking devices need to be visible under a variety of conditions, including night operations, inclement weather, obscurants, and when buttoned up in tracked vehicles. Using the VS-17 panel to mark everything is not productive and should be managed rigorously by all leaders."

Combat Training Center CTC Bulletin 02-17

'Owning the Night' should mean that your tools aren't going to disappear (see below for example of the ineffective VS-17 thermal signature).

Our forces need an anti-frat and signaling panel which is going to be seen - no matter how hot the engagement gets in the middle of the night !

The Solution:

The VS-21 panel consists entirely of "NPT No Power Thermal" material, specifically designed for viewing through standard fielded thermal sights. Running 6' x 2', about the same size as the venerable VS-17, one side of our panel is a bright orange. Moving away from unnecessary, additional bright colors, the other side of the VS-21 is made of a solid woodland green or desert brown (your choice). This allows the VS-21 to clearly display a thermal signature to friendly forces, while simultaneously presenting a camouflage effect to the enemy.

In addition to visibility through standard thermal sights, we offer an option which allows the panel to be seen using standard night vision sights which have active IR illuminators.
VS-21 Orange Side (all no power thermal)

VS-21 through M1 Thermals (black hot): Lower center. Compare to non-thermal VS-17, lower left shadow.

VS-21 Solutions Grid*:

Type
Colors
Properties
Size
Front
Rear
Front
Rear
VS-21 Choice of Tan, Forest Green, Orange
NPT No Power Thermal Both Sides; Night Vision Optional
2',4', or 6'
VS-20 Choice of Tan, Forest Green, Orange NPT Choice of Black, Orange, Lime, Woodland, or Desert Camo NPT No Power Thermal Material; Night Vision Optional Lightweight, Tough Ripstop Nylon (Dayglo Orange and Lime); Night Vision Optional
2', 4' or 6'
VS-18 Choice of Black, Orange, Lime, Woodland, or Desert Camo Nylon
Lightweight, Tough Ripstop Nylon (Dayglo Orange and Lime); Night Vision Optional
2', 4' or 6'
Compare
VS-17 Orange Pink Heavy canvas, subject to delamination
6'

* Minimum orders may apply to certain configurations

VS-17 = Ineffective with Thermal Sights

The VS-17 panel is in the foreground of the following picture. Watch what happens when you turn on your thermal sights. Simply click on the panel, and hope you don't need your VS-17 in a pinch !!! These photos are from the same position, one regular daylight photo, and the second through a FLIR. As you will see, the VS-17 becomes virtually invisible and totally ineffective through a FLIR sight.

(Unretouched photos. Click picture to see IR image. Mouse off the photo to return to the original image)