According to similarity principles, an infrared imaging experimental test system based on scale model was set up, such work conditions as scale model based vehicle volume, submerged depth, movement, wake discharging, and etc, were designed so that the static and dynamic thermal wake detection tests of scaled vehicle were realized. The detectability of submerged vehicle thermal wakes on one side was determined, and the influencing factors at thermal wakes detection and changing rules of the wakes were found, which lays a foundation for future work. Scale model experimental tests show that the thermal wakes from submerged vehicle can be effectively detected out via the substantial changes of regional gray mean and gray mean variation.