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at finding new materials and their application
Militaries are looking at processes for active and adaptive camouflage
in the visible, infrared and radar ranges.
camouflage systems that
In the face of highly sophisticated modern
allow vehicles to blend into detection systems, the development of
advanced materials and techniques to improve
its surroundings, effectively camouflage and decrease the signature of mil-
itary ground systems is increasingly important,
becoming invisible to hostile according to an EDA official.

thermal imaging systems Effective concealment prevents ground systems
from being detected, identified and observed,
By JAY MENON and in this way provide additional protec-
tion without affecting weight and mobility.
Consequently, effective concealment improves
and vehicle camouflage is a serious challenge. The stealth reconnaissance capability and surprise
Increasing lethality of modern-day threats highlights factor for ground systems. The wide variety of
the importance of enhancing the land systems pro- operational environments of modern ground
tection. An important measure to protect soldiers and systems creates a need for active and adaptive
military platforms is camouflage in a wider spectral camouflage concepts that reduce optical and
L range, also including radar frequency bands.
thermal signature under a variety of possible
terrain and weather conditions.
The range of different types of sensors land vehicles may expect
to encounter requires that camouflage systems be multi-spectral “ASCALS intends to address these chal-
in effect. The adaptation of the camouflage characteristics to the lenges and pursue the advantages of
conditions, such as encountered sensors, environment and threat smart and adaptive camouflage. The
level, could bring this protection to a new level. project will focus on the development of
advanced materials for absorption and
The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched a new research obscuring techniques. Whereas ASCALS
and technology project aimed at improving new armament-related will specifically investigate the feasibil-
capabilities by enhancing camouflage and decreasing the signature ity of application to selected military
of ground systems. The Advanced Solutions for Camouflage of Land ground platforms, the results of the
Systems using smart and adaptive materials (ASCALS) - project aims project can be expected to bear poten-
ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY JUNE-JULY 2023 | 11