Thermal imagers often work in extreme conditions but are typically tested under laboratory conditions. This paper presents the concept, design rules, experimental verification, and example applications of a new system able to carry out measurements of performance parameters of thermal imagers working under precisely simulated real working conditions. High accuracy of simulation has been achieved by enabling regulation of two critical parameters that define working conditions of thermal imagers: imager ambient temperature and background temperature of target of interest. The use of the new test system in the evaluation process of surveillance thermal imagers can bring about a revolution in thermal imaging metrology by allowing thermal imagers to be evaluated under simulated, real working conditions.