Means of disguise equipment in the Special Operations
OTRK "Iskander-K" with a camouflage kit. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In connection with the rapid development of various reconnaissance means, camouflage remains of particular importance. In the current Special Operation, our army is actively using a variety of camouflage equipment and kits, with the help of which it provides protection for various weapons, equipment, etc. At the same time, the development of different classes and purposes are used.
Intelligence problem
The Ukrainian army and other armed formations still have reconnaissance equipment that can be used for target designation and fire correction. Basically, these are various light-class unmanned aerial vehicles. There are also loitering ammunition. In the interests of firepower, radio systems operate, such as counter-battery radar. Foreign partners provide support with the help of satellites and aircraft or electronic intelligence UAVs.
The main means of combating Ukrainian intelligence at the moment are air defense and electronic warfare. It is they who are responsible for the timely detection and defeat or suppression of enemy UAVs, radars, etc. Practice shows that such approaches to defense are quite effective.
Grids "Iskander" close-up. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
At the same time, it is necessary not only to deal with intelligence assets, but also to interfere with their full-fledged work. Of great importance is the camouflage of equipment, weapons or various means. With them, camouflage means should be used that make it difficult or impossible to detect by any means - optical, infrared or radar.
Countermeasures
As the published materials from the combat zone show, all such means are available and are actively used. The Ministry of Defense regularly shows the work of various units and units, and you can see how they organize camouflage and counter intelligence. Various means and samples are used, incl. the latest models.
First of all, kits based on camouflage nets are preserved and widely used in the troops. With their help, combat vehicles, command posts, etc. turn into a kind of landscape element that does not stand out against the background of surrounding objects. At the same time, modern technologies and materials make it possible to obtain protection from surveillance by various means.
Tank T-90M with a set of "Cape". Photo of the National Guard
Nets can be used as part of stationary shelters or as portable camouflage. In particular, the Iskander OTRK, equipped with special frames with camouflage kits, repeatedly got into the frame. They make it difficult to detect equipment on the march and at the firing position, and do not require special training.
In the current Special Operation, camouflage kits for armored vehicles "Cape" were used for the first time. With this equipment Tanks T-90M and other combat vehicles protect themselves from detection not only in position, but also on the move. In addition, it makes it difficult to aim fire at the tank and increases its stability in combat conditions.
Samples and technologies
The supply of the Russian army consists of a variety of camouflage equipment with certain features, designed to protect equipment. The most popular among modern designs are camouflage kits of the MKT series, designed to protect stationary objects. The forces of domestic enterprises created several "generations" of such disguise with certain features.
An object hidden under the MKT-5L kit. Photo by NPP Ecoportret-M
All MKT kits have a similar composition. These include a camouflage cover in the form of several separate nets, sewing cords to connect them, metal pegs for installation on the ground, storage facilities, etc. At the same time, the nets of different sets differ from each other in size, configuration of camouflage elements, color, etc. Regardless of the model, "MKT" is resistant to water, detergents and fuels and lubricants.
MKT-2 sets of different versions include 12 nets 3x6 m in size. A polymer tape is woven into the mesh base, forming a complex masking pattern. MKT-3 consists of six networks of the same dimensions. Instead of ribbons, these nets use garlands of twisted and split polymer strips, reminiscent of pine needles.
Of particular interest are the MKT-4 and MKT-5 kits. Product "4" is a variant of MKT-2 with a metallized conductive tape, and in MKT-5 garlands are made of the same material. Due to metallization, such kits protect not only from visual observation, but also from radar equipment.
Weaving the "desert" network of the MKT-2P set. Photo by NPP Ecoportret-M
Several colors are offered for use in various landscapes. So, for deployment in the summer against the backdrop of vegetation, the MKT-2L, MKT-3L kits, etc. are recommended. In the steppe or desert areas, kits with the letter "P" are used. Against the background of snow, the equipment is masked by products in the “C” variant.
On the basis of MKT products, so-called. universal portable masks. They are intended to protect large objects or equipment, which affects their composition. So, the UMV-1 mask includes two sets of MKT, as well as a set of racks, stakes, cables, etc. UMV-2 allows you to close a large area through the use of three MKT.
To mask and protect moving equipment, special frames with nets or even handicrafts are often used. A more advanced means of protection against surveillance is the "Cape" kit. In fact, this is a set of covers made of a special multilayer material, made according to the dimensions and contours of a specific type of combat vehicle.
"Garlands" on the grid MKT-5L. Photo by NPP Ecoportret-M
Outer layer, incl. with added elements, provides protection from visual observation. The inner layers of the material prevent the release of thermal radiation, and also shield radio waves. All this worsens the visibility for infrared and radar systems - the range of detection, recognition and possible taking on escort is sharply reduced.
Comprehensive Protection
The groupings of our army involved in the Special Operation have a wide choice of means both for destroying enemy targets and for protecting them. At the same time, protection is provided at all levels and stages, starting from countering enemy reconnaissance using various means.
A key position in such systems of troop protection is occupied by means of camouflage. Modern products of this kind are used in the deployment of field command posts, anti-aircraft systems, etc. In addition, a few weeks ago, for the first time, it became known about the participation in battles of T-90M tanks with the "Cape" on the armor.
Shelter from the MKT-4S kit. Photo by NPP Ecoportret-M
As practice shows, the detection of "Shell", "Iskander" or a command post under modern disguise is a very difficult task. The effective use of one or the other weapons for such an object is also not simple, incl. when using high precision systems.
With all this, the camouflage of our equipment is an indirect threat to the enemy. Due to the impossibility of quickly detecting targets, enemy UAVs or radars are forced to work longer in the danger zone, at the risk of detecting themselves and falling under air defense fire, aviation or artillery, or under the influence of electronic warfare systems.
Realizing the potential
Thus, camouflage equipment remains the most important component of the auxiliary equipment of any developed army. Moreover, progress in the field of surveillance and detection systems increases its importance. If the enemy has developed reconnaissance and strike circuits, the lack of protection against detection leads to additional unjustified risks.
The course of the current Special Operation confirms these theses. In addition, he demonstrates that the Russian army has all the necessary means, skillfully uses them and gets all the necessary results. Together with other systems, complexes and means, camouflage dramatically reduces the risks and threats to troops, and also contributes to the speedy completion of assigned tasks.
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