More Than Meets the Eye
Innovative Camouflage Strategies Are
Bolstering Passive Defenses Against
Increasingly Capable Imaging Systems.
by Marty Kauchak
SOTECH Correspondent
Government-industry teams are delivering a new generation of concealment and camouflage products to warfighters to counter increasingly capable imaging systems. Legacy-era concealment products for operators and their materiel are being modernized with materials and other strategies. These efforts to reduce signatures in the electromagnetic spectrum and observation by the opposing force’s eyes and increasingly effective battlefield sensors.
STARTING POINT
The South African firm Alnet describes in detail one representative, state-of-the-art camouflage net that has been delivered to services around the globe. The product consists of a basic nylon net, (50 millimeters (mm)[1.9 inch] square mesh and knot breaking strength of 19 kilograms (kg) [41.8 pounds]), to which garnishing material is permanently fixed. “The garnishing material has been cut in such a pattern that it has a ‘leafy’ appearance and resembles foliage. The assembled net is painted with various colors in disruptive patterns, on both sides of the net, so that it may be used effectively in two different types of terrain or seasons,” stated the website. The company website added, “The paints used camouflage effectively in the visual as well as in the infra red range and create a dull surface finish with a spectral response of less than three percent at 85 degrees measured with a standard photo-electric glassmeter.”
The base net is edged with two nylon braids, each 2.5mm diameter, having a breaking strength of 210kg each. Steel rings, evenly spaced are attached to the 2.5mm nylon surround braid. The rings can be connected by means of steel clips which are fastened to a release cord. This cord permits the joining of two or more nets and the breaking strength of the release cord exceeds 300 kg.
“The nylon components, netting and various cords, have been impregnated with weatherproof, water repellant, rot- and flame resistant paints. The garnishing material consists of a woven shrink resistan, UV stabilized polyamide, evenly coated with flame retardant PVC with a matt finish. This material is cut to resemble foliage with no repeat patterns that are apparent and the garnishing material is permanently attached to the se net by means of steel clips,” concluded the website.
TWO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Government-industry teams have a number of on-going efforts to modernize camouflage concealment products. Two that caught SOTECH’s attention are led by Athens, Greece-based Intermat and Military Wraps. While their efforts are in separate knowledge areas, the end-products are helping to defeat state-ofthe- art sensors through the spectral ranges.
Intermat is a self-described small business with an research and development (R&D) focus. The company’s product portfolio of camouflage coatings, netting and other solutions build upon its focus on thermal and radar signature management.
Bill Filis, company spokesman, provided one insight on providing next generation camouflage systems. “For us, the challenge is to customize our solution as much as possible and thermally conceal the asset in order to minimize the detection range (let alone the identification and recognition ranges). In most cases this distance is slashed at a 1:5 ratio, i.e. if your tank was initially thermally detectable at say five miles, after painting it with Intermat it could be detectable at only one mile. It means that you would have to approach your adversary at one mile only in order for them to be able to detect you. You buy more time and you are much less vulnerable. The advantages are numerous.”
The challenge, then, to deliver an effective camouflage system is to thermally blend with the environment. Just reducing the thermal trace, minimizing it, is not enough, according to the company. “You cannot be much different than the ambient temperature or else blending will not be as effective as it could be. The challenge is to be able to blend against cold backgrounds— trees, the sea [or other natural features]. All these are colder than desert and Dt [difference in temperature] must be carefully taken care of,” pointed out Filis.
As a result of its research efforts, Intermat’s coatings are mostly anti-thermal and its various fabrics are anti-thermally painted, radar attenuating products. “There are various products depending on the application, but we can also develop a new product/solution should this is required, since we can step in and make changes at any stage of production,” remarked Filis.
Intermat’s basic range of fabric materials consists of: the ultralightweight camouflage system net, track covers, blankets (covers), mobile camouflage (upon request) and others. All nets are reversible and any pattern can be painted at either side. “Enduser can also choose its own design-cut and in many cases we have designed a net with specific S-cuts and breaking strength in order to meet a request. We are flexible in this,” said Filis.
Intermat’s coatings, materials and associated products are said to be in full compliance with NATO’s definition on thermal threat spectrum and standardization agreement 4319 (counter surveillance requirements for future main battle tanks—infrared and thermal aspects).
Alternatively, Military Wraps seeks innovative solutions by following a corporate guideline: Photos are better than paint. And the best camouflage is customized to the zip code or specific map coordinates. Military Wraps has pioneered a slate of new patent protected proprietary technologies, all of which evolve from photography, which is 180 degrees different from any previous camouflage method. “Military Wraps’ technologies offer the operator supreme camouflage, concealment,” and deception,” said K. Dominic Cincotti, director R&D, Military Wraps, and executive vice president, Military Wraps research and development. “We do this by listening carefully to the needs of the operator, utilizing the most up to date manufacturing processes, while at the same time, embracing cutting-edge science and technology breakthroughs,” he added.
Military Wraps’ core technology uses site-specific, high-megapixel photographic images, computer- edited for proper scale and perspective, which are then rendered by large-format printing technology onto special vinyls or adhesive vinyls.
“We have such exact digital detailing that Military Wraps’ camouflage matches terrain precisely, and so vehicles, weapons, equipment, and engineered structures can seem to disappear into the surrounding battlefield environment, because the images that create the camouflage are taken from that environment,” pointed out Cincotti.
He opined that current netting options, while they have been in use for years, cannot compete. “It was necessary to re-examine a more effective netting product. We asked, ‘What kind of concealment device would you want for the operator?’ Well, how about a device that is portable, waterproof, folds or rolls easily like a large wall map, and works fast in any environment—mountain, desert, jungle, forest, even urban.”
The outcome of further research efforts in this area led to the development of Photo-Veil. Photo-Veil, which is patent protected, combines high-resolution megapixel digital photography, state-ofthe- art inking systems, and revolutionary lightweight mesh material to duplicate precisely any environment of military operation.
Cincotti emphasized that, “Photo-Veil works for sniper/spotter concealment, surveillance, counter surveillance, and escape-andevasion, in addition to force protection. Photo-Veil is highly adaptable, practically scalable to any size, and can be customized for any terrain including urban environments. The Photo-Veil also suppresses thermal and infrared signatures of troops and equipment. It can also be customized for one-way visibility—the concealed combatant can actually see through the Photo-Veil.”
INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS
The efforts of Intermat and Military Wraps complement other fielded concealment systems.
In addition to the net described earlier, Alnet has a number of other visual and near-infra-red camouflage products in its portfolio. The company’s 2-D and 3-D products cover customer-specific requirements relating to static vehicle weaponry concealment, rapid deployment nets, tent and mobile facility covers, and personnel screens. The camouflage systems “are manufactured to exacting standards, using a combination of high quality, durable raw materials, including polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes and a range of specialist additives, which includes fire and UV resistance,” stated the company Website.
For its part, Saab Barracuda has an extensive product portfolio that is designed to manage signatures in the electromagnetic spectrum for concealment and deception in different applications including personnel, and static or mobile equipment. The company netting products have been acquired by U.S. special forces.
Two of Saab’s more versatile camouflage systems that gained our interest were the special operations tactical suit (SOTACS) and ultralight camouflage system (ULCAS). The SOTACS has been developed to offer special operation forces a signature management tool that allows them to perform stealth operations in hostile territories. The suit offers the soldier cover from various reconnaissance systems currently available.
“The SOTACS has multispectral characteristics [visual VIS], near infrared [NIR] and thermal infrared [TIR]. TheVIS/ NIR characteristics blend with those of the surrounding background environment. The TIR signature reduces detection in all climate conditions and obstructs thermal reconnaissance. The SOTACS blocks 80 percent of the thermal energy transmitted by the soldier,” asserted the company.
Saab Barracuda also states it can customize SOTACS to the end-users wishes. The suit is reported to be ultralight (weighs approximately 2.9 kg) and is water resistant, maintaining its ultra lightweight in wet weather conditions.
A second product, BMS-ULCAS, is designed for static requirements. “It has properties not seen in any conventional camouflage net and provides outstanding protection against all types of reconnaissance,” according to the company.
The BMS-ULCAS is reported to have multispectral capabilities throughout its service life, providing full protection against sensors working in all relevant parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. “Both woodland and desert environments can change quickly over a short distance in regards to vegetation and colors. The advanced reversible camouflage screen [ARCAS] enables you to have different colors on each side. This will enhance your mobility considerably in a varying environment. ARCAS has multispectral capabilities throughout its service life, providing full protection against sensors working in all relevant parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.”
One of the more intriguing, “basic” solutions to concealment is provided by Pine Habor Holding Company’s Modular Concealment Aide (MCA). The MCA device utilizes mirrored technology to totally conceal a position in natural or artificial cover allowing the warfighter to hide in plain sight. The lightweight, durable device is 24-inches by 32-inches and weighs 7 pounds with the tri-fold drag bag. Dave Prock, executive marketing director told SOTECH, “The MCA has no electronic or power requirements making the MCA rapidly deployable in virtually fail-safe. The lightweight supporting frame of tubular aluminum utilizes a shooting port that is muzzle blast activated to return to pre-shot settings. The MCA frame sections interlock, enabling it to be tailored to the specific battlefield requirements with the ability to conceal one or more warfighters by connecting multiple shields.
While MCA is designed for sniper and reconnaissance operations, it is effective in all military operations. “The MCA’s innovative concept is versatile and effective in any environment, terrain and weather conditions,” pointed out Prock. He continued, “This is a new technique of providing camouflage, cover, concealment, hiding, blending, disguising, disrupting and decoying. Radiation from lasers and night vision devices are also reflected in a similar manner. All these techniques are an essential part of any tactical operations.”
The MCA is virtually impossible to see at longer ranges, with proper training if deployed properly, it can provide concealment from as close as three meters, noted Pine Harbor Holding Company. “The versatile ability of the MCA makes it effective for long-range sniper operations or close range concealment or surveillance. It is effective in a wide range of settings including rural, urban, exterior and interior making it a valuable asset for military operations,” emphasized Prock.
The basic MCA technology “is in development stages as a survival gear for downed pilots and personnel for concealment purposes, artillery locations, stationary and mobile vehicle operations such as quads, HMWWVs and MRAPs along with numerous classified applications,” said Prock.
WARFIGHTER REQUIREMENTS
At the end of the day, concealment products ensure the survival of SOF and conventional forces on the battlefield. Industry is being receptive to the lessons learned from Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and is upgrading their products with these and other contemporary missions in mind.
Military Wraps’ Cincotti reflected that the first lesson is that camouflage in Iraq and Afghanistan should look like Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Because we deliver Photo-Realistic solutions, we’ve got the first and most important basic component of camouflage covered, so to speak. The camouflage that we have designed for Iraq and Afghanistan are derived from actual images specifically from Iraq and Afghanistan, and they can be very quickly modified region to region, within varied operating environments,” he said.
Military Wraps has also adjusted material specifications for Iraq and Afghanistan to better meet the precise needs of those theaters’ environments. “Specifically, what this means for Iraq and Afghanistan, is stronger adhesion and a more advanced material to deal with extreme temperatures and harsh environmental conditions. Again, we couldn’t make these innovations without the intelligence we receive from the operators and our ability to rapidly alter our material specifications in our manufacturing process,” concluded Cincotti. ♦