Combat Identification Panel

A CIP panel can be seen mounted on the side of this M1A1 Abrams' turret

The Combat Identification Panel, also known as the 'Coalition Identification Panel' or simply 'CIP', is a device mounted on military ground vehicles to distinguish them from the enemy during battle. They were developed after the first Gulf War to reduce friendly fire incidents among allied ground forces. These panels are designed so as to produce a distinct and easily-identifiable Infrared signature when seen through thermal imaging systems. CIP panels first saw widespread use in Operation Iraqi Freedom 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.

References

• globalsecurity.org : Combat Identification Panels
• peoiews.monmouth.army.mil : Joint Combat Identification Marking System (JCIMS)
• fas.org : 2005 U.S. Army Weapons System Handbook : JCIMS