Multi-spectral camouflage
Multi-spectral camouflage is the use of counter-surveillance techniques to conceal objects from detection across several parts of the electromagnetic spectrum at the same time. While traditional military camouflage attempts to hide an object in the visible spectrum, multi-spectral camouflage also tries to simultaneously hide objects from detection methods such as infrared, radar, and millimetre-wave radar imaging.<ref name="ACIG 2002">Shabbir, Usman. "Highlights from IDEAS 2002". ACIG Special Reports. Air Combat Information Group. Retrieved 30 April 2013.</ref><ref name="Mat patent">A US 4287243 A, Nielsen, Willi G., "Mat for multispectral camouflage of objects and permanent constructions", published Sep 1, 1981</ref>
Among animals, both insects such as the eyed hawk-moth, and vertebrates such as tree frogs possess camouflage that works in the infra-red as well as in the visible spectrum.
History
The English zoologist Hugh Cott, in his 1940 book Adaptive Coloration in Animals, wrote that some caterpillars such as the eyed hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellatus, and tree frogs such as the red-snouted treefrog Hyla coerulea, are coloured so as to blend with their backgrounds whether observed in visible light or in infra-red.<ref>Ramana Rao, J.V. "Introduction to Camouflage & Deception" (PDF). Defence Research and Development Organisation (India). p. 116. Retrieved 13 June 2014.</ref><ref>Cott, Hugh B. (1940). Adaptive Coloration in Animals. Oxford University Press. p. Plate 5 shows the eyed hawk-moth caterpillar in visible and infra-red on a leafly background; Plate 6 shows a tree-frog similarly. It is clear from the plates that these animals reflect infra-red.</ref> Cott noted the importance of camouflage in the infra-red, given the ability of tactical reconnaissance to observe in this part of the spectrum:
Because such screens are effective against direct observation and ordinary photography, by no means does it follow that they will be hidden in the infra-red photograph. Comparison of aerial photographs taken simultaneously on panchromatic and infra-red plates will reveal much that before the advent of this new technique would have been adequately camouflaged...
— Hugh Cott, 1940.<ref>Cott, Hugh B. (1940). Adaptive Coloration in Animals. Oxford University Press. p. 10.</ref>
A German-led NATO research project concluded in 2004 that while "the multispectral signatures of most military equipment can be significantly reduced by combinations of various camouflage materials", multi-spectral camouflage for individual soldiers remained lacking. The main problems identified were operational constraints such as mobility, weight, and the soldier's physiology.<ref name="RTO SCI-096">"RTO-TM-SCI-096 - Multispectral Camouflage for the Soldier System". NATO Research and Technology Organisation.</ref>
Camouflage
Multi-spectral camouflage can be applied to individuals, to vehicles, and to buildings. It can take the form of specialised paints or camouflage nets that provide conventional camouflage, reduce the amount of heat given off by an object, and alter the shape and size of its radar signature.<ref>"Signature Management". Saab Solutions. Retrieved 4 December 2019.</ref><ref name=intermat>"ANTI-THERMAL SUITS AND CLOAK". Intermat.</ref><ref name=motley-exim>"Anti Thermal IR Coating". Motley-Exim. Retrieved 30 April 2013.</ref><ref name="NATO SCI-096">"Multispectral Camouflage for the Soldier System (SCI-096)" (PDF). NATO RTO Task Group.</ref><ref name="Bluecher net">"Camouflage net". BLÜCHER SYSTEMS®. Retrieved 30 April 2013.</ref><ref>"Multispectral Camouflage Nets". Raksha Supreme Camouflage. Retrieved 30 April 2013.</ref> The Saab Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System provides a degree of concealment in the visible, thermal infrared, and radar parts of the electromagnetic spectrum,<ref>"MCS Mobile Camouflage System: Protection on the Move". SAAB Group. 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2020.</ref> as does the Miranda Berberys-R multispectral camouflage system from Poland.<ref name=Miranda>Innovative Multispectral Camouflage Solutions</ref> Similarly, other companies such as the American-Israeli "Fibrotex" and "Ametrine", and the Greek "Intermat Defence" proposed their own products ranging from static vehicle camouflage fabric to multispectral spray paints.
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Saab AB began offering a multi-spectral personal camouflage system known as the Special Operations Tactical Suit (SOTACS) as early as 2005.<ref>"Special Operations Tactical Suit (SOTCAS)". defense-update.com. Defense-Update. 27 January 2005.</ref> And as of 2018, multiple countries are phasing out legacy camouflage systems with multi-spectral systems.<ref>"Royal Danish Army Orders Saab Barracuda Camouflage". overtdefense.com. Overt Defense. 15 January 2019.</ref><ref>"More than meets the eye: Army selects next-gen camouflage system". www.armytimes.com. Army Times. 7 November 2018.</ref>
In the last decade other companies developed their own individual multispectral camouflage, such as the Israeli "Polaris Solutions", the American "Relv Camo", and the Italian "ProApto". The latter specifically focuses on 3D individual camouflage, proposing multispectral Ghillie Suits designed also for amphibious operations and both tropical and arctic environments.
Examples across the electromagnetic spectrum
| Electromagnetic spectrum<ref name="EM Spectrum">Nave, C.R. "The Electromagnetic Spectrum". HyperPhysics. Hosted by Georgia State University Department of Physics and Astronomy. Retrieved 30 April 2013.</ref> | ||||
| Name | Wavelength | Detected by | Camouflage Technology | Example application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultraviolet | 10 nm – 380 nm | |||
| Visible light | 380 nm – 700 nm | Eyes, cameras | Paint, nets, counter-illumination | Uniforms |
| Shorter Infrared | 700 nm – 3 μm | Image intensifiers | ||
| Mid or Thermal infrared | 3 μm – 8 μm | Heat-seeking missile | ||
| Long infrared | 8 μm – 15 μm | Thermal imaging sensor | Peltier cooling plates | Adaptiv |
| Far infrared | 15 μm – 1 mm | |||
| Microwave | 1 mm – 1 m | Radar | Stealth technology | Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, F-117 Nighthawk |
| Longer Radio waves | 1 m – 100,000 km | |||
Problems
As this type of camouflage hinders electromagnetic radiation, radio-communications and GPS are also hindered. This can be overcome by using frequency selective surfaces, allowing specific frequencies to pass through.<ref>"DSEi 2023: Saab Barracuda reveals new camouflage system". shephardmedia.com. 2023-09-05. Retrieved 2023-09-05.</ref>
