Foam supported electromagnetic energy reflecting device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention, a device for reflecting electromagnetic energy comprises a solidified foam mass which has reflector means embedded therein for reflecting at least one frequency of electromagnetic energy.
The frequency or frequencies of electromagnetic energy reflected can be within the region of the electromagnetic spectrum utilized for radar signaling, within the infrared region, within the visual region or within any combination of those regions.
For visual reflection, various dyes are distributed within the solidified foam mass.
For infrared reflection, the foam must be selected such that it does not absorb electromagnetic energy in an infrared region of interest.
Since this is the case for most foams usable in the present invention, infrared energy is reflected from almost all the devices made in accordance with the invention.
For radar reflection, a multitude of discreet electrically conducting elements are embedded within the solidified foam, mass.
The electrically conducting elements are of a length approximately equal to one-half (1/2) the wavelength of the electromagnetic energy to be reflected and are distributed in an approximately uniform manner throughout the foam mass.
The density of the discreet electrically conducting elements is selected so that the reflective characteristics of the foam mass represent the object to be simulated by the mass.
The electromagnetic energy reflecting device in accordance with the present invention can be constructed so that the foam mass physically resembles the object to be simulated.
In this way, not only can radar and infrared observing equipment be deceived by the devices, but also optical observation tends to verify the reports obtained by the radar and infrared observing equipment.
A variety of foam materials can be utilized in accordance with the present invention so that the solidified foam mass is either rigid or flexible depending upon the requirements for simulation of a particular object