An infrared camera that gives clear images for up to nearly five miles despite fog, mist or heat haze has been developed by an Airbus DS business unit.

RedKite is based on short-wave infrared technology that allows a higher contrast image than that available with a daylight camera or a thermal imaging device alone, the company said.

Its effective range is nearly five miles.

"RedKite enables the user to recognize details, such a ship's number, which would not be visible in a thermal image," Airbus Defense and Space said. "The user is also able to look through windows, which is impossible with a thermal image device on account of the absorption in the glass.

"The SWIR camera produces a higher contrast image of a scene and can penetrate to the target object better than a daylight camera if visibility is bad due to fog or mist. The SWIR camera can also detect thermal radiation in the Planck spectrum more effectively."

RedKite was developed by the company's Airbus DS Optronics and is for use by military and security applications.