The Battlefield Survivability and Discrimination Specialty Group evolved from the MSS Specialty Group on Camouflage, Concealment, and Deception (CC&D) and focuses heavily on the survivability of both sea and battlefield platforms. It covers CC&D, Counter CC&D, Countermine, and IED Defeat topics. The meeting treats counter CC&D sensors including a heavy emphasis on Hyperspectral sensors. In addition, the human factor aspects of both detecting enemy assets and hiding US assets from the enemy are considered in depth.

The MSS Specialty Group on Detectors is a forum for the presentation, discussion, and dissemination of information on detector technology. It covers the electromagnetic spectrum from x-rays through terahertz. The group addresses all aspects of detector technology including detection phenomena, the physics of ideal and real detectors, advanced material growth technology, and the chemistry of detector fabrication processes. This meeting covers the reliability and survivability of detectors including nuclear hardness. Also of interest are the electronics and signal processing associated with focal plane image formation such as readout circuit technology, on-focal-plane signal processing, and non-uniformity correction. Detector technologies of interest include discrete detectors, scanning and staring focal plane arrays, photon and thermal detectors, coherent and incoherent detectors, and wavelength converters.

The MSS Specialty Group on Materials provides a forum for the presentation, discussion, and dissemination of information within the defense community on the exploration, development, and utilization of materials to be used in military optical and electro-optical devices and systems operating in the optical (UV to mm wave) spectrum. Subjects include materials for detectors and substrates, optical windows and other optical elements, filters, optical techniques such as diffractive and binary optics and rugates, meta-materials, and other materials issues that enable the development of optical and electro-optical sensors, etc.

The MSS Passive Sensors specialty group evolved from the Imaging Systems Specialty group of IRIS and provides a forum for the presentation, discussion, and dissemination of information regarding developments in passive sensor systems operating in the optical (UV through mm wave) spectrum. The group focuses on systems that exploit natural or man-made emanations from the target and scene. The group addresses both tactical and strategic systems and considers all elements that make up a system from the entrance aperture through to the decision process, including any image processing that may be applied. It also addresses multi-element systems such as FLIR-laser ranger/designator systems where the principal sensor system is passive. Sensors considered include UV sensors; visible band sensors and image intensifier systems; infrared sensors from the near IR to the long-long wave IR/mm wave; multiband, Hyperspectral, polarimetric sensors; weapon guidance seekers; and other similar devices. Sensor components and associated technologies including displays, gimbals, etc. are also discussed. Human factors associated with sensors and the entire target acquisition process are also of interest.