Combat Identification Panels were developed after the
Persian Gulf War to reduce
friendly fire incidents among allied ground forces. These panels are designed to produce a distinct and easily identifiable
infrared signature when seen through
thermal imaging systems. Originally created as a hasty expediency, the use of low-thermal-emissivity tape and physical separation from the body of the vehicle meant that the panel would appear as a contrasting dark (i.e. cooler) area through thermal viewers in white hot mode. with a combat identification panel mounted on the side of the turret CIPs first saw widespread use in the
Iraq War where nearly all coalition vehicles were equipped with these devices, usually mounted on the sides and rear of the body and/or turret. Some were even mounted on the driver and front passenger doors of
Humvees with a special cutout so the door handle could still be accessed through the panel, as well as on the hood between the windshield and the top grille. ==See also==