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Military camouflage technology has taken large strides in the last decade or so, with lots of novel camouflage concepts being developed including BAE Systems\u2019 Adaptiv\u00a0vehicle cloaking<\/a>\u00a0technology, Hyperstealth Biotechnology\u2019s light-bending Quantum Stealth material technology, and the Japanese invisibility cloak developed by Dr Susumu Tachi, which uses nanoantennae technology to redirect light waves around an object.<\/p>\nRussian state company Rostec is currently developing a new full-body exoskeleton with advanced military camouflage technology for the Russian Army. As well as providing torso \u2018invisibility\u2019, another one of the key features of the Ratnik-3 exoskeleton design is an eyeglass that provides critical reconnaissance information with thermal imaging capabilities, exactly what the US Army is looking to avert.<\/p>\n
Across the globe, the US Army is eyeing two new technological breakthroughs to avoid thermal imaging, with the help of US camouflage manufacturer Fibrotex. These are the Ultra-light Camouflage Netting System (ULCANS) and the Improved Ghillie System (IGS).<\/p>\n
What can the Ratnik-3 suit do and what technologies could help the US to prevent thermal detection?<\/p>\n
Ratnik-3 exoskeleton suit<\/h3>\n
Russia\u2019s Ratnik-3 exoskeleton concept, developed in collaboration with Rostec and the University of Science and Technology in Moscow, =employs both a thermal imaging infrared camera built into the helmet that can detect enemy body temperatures, and a protective camouflage technology in the torso that hides the wearer\u2019s thermal signature.<\/p>\n
The eyeglass in the helmet works as a display screen which provides all kinds of information including thermal imaging, biological data, interior and exterior temperature and target information.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, protecting the torso is a newly developed material that hides a soldier from infrared imaging by containing all of the soldier\u2019s body heat within the suit. The wearer even has the ability to adjust the inner temperature of the suit to manipulate their thermal signature. Ratnik-3 is designed for extreme temperatures \u2013 anywhere from -30\u00b0C to 50\u00b0C.<\/p>\n
The technology was demonstrated at the Army-2018 exhibition in Russia in August 2018.<\/p>\n
According to state media outlet\u00a0TASS<\/a>, Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov said at the time: \u201cAt the Army-2018 forum, Rostec will demonstrate a prototype of the electrically-controllable material that can change its colour depending on the surface that needs to be camouflaged and on the environment. The coating can reflect colour changes and imitate complex graphical depictions, up to the leaves wavering in the wind.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the possibilities of using the coating are much wider. In the future, it may be applied to whatever it is: clothes, arms, combat hardware.\u201d<\/p>\n While Ratnik-3 is still under development, the US is looking at similar technologies to protect its own soldiers from the threat of infrared detection.<\/p>\n The first is the Ultra-light Camouflage Netting System (ULCANS) created by Fibrotex.<\/p>\n According to the company, the ULCANS multi-spectrum camouflage provides greater protection from infrared and thermal radars, and comes in a reversible design suitable for woodland, snow and desert environments, blending into the terrain whatever the weather conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cToday more than ever military forces and opposition groups are using night vision sensors and thermal devices against our troops,\u201d said Fibrotex CEO\u00a0Eyal\u00a0Malleron. \u201cBut by using [our] camouflage, concealment and deception solutions, we make them undetectable again; allowing them to continue keeping us safe and save lives.<\/p>\n \u201cThe US Army tested our best camouflage solutions and the camouflage repeatedly demonstrated the ability to defeat all sensors known to be operating in the battlefield and throughout the electromagnetic spectrum.\u201d<\/p>\nUS military camouflage technology 1: ULCANS<\/h3>\n
US military camouflage technology 2: IGS<\/h3>\n