Like a chameleon: CJSC "Kirasa" is developing new means of disguise
In the sewing shop "Cuirasse". Photo by CJSC "Kirasa"
Currently, our country is developing promising options for combat equipment of a serviceman, as well as various elements for them. In particular, attention is paid to uniforms with camouflage functions. Recently it became known that one of the leading companies in this field is proactively creating a new generation of camouflage. With it, a fighter will be able to remain invisible in different conditions.
like a chameleon
One of the oldest domestic enterprises for the production of protective equipment and equipment for military personnel is CJSC "Kirasa" (Perm). February 6 RIA News published an interview with the CEO of this organization, Vladimir Kormushin. The head spoke about the current work and production successes, as well as about promising projects.
At the moment, the main task of "Kirass" is the implementation of the State Defense Order - the production and supply of various products for the armed forces. At the same time, the design bureau of the enterprise continues to work and is engaged in new projects. In particular, there is a project of camouflage uniforms for the warm season.
V. Kormushin noted that other organizations have similar developments. So, in the framework of the development work "Warrior" this topic is being dealt with by the company "Shturm" (Moscow). However, the Cuirass is developing its own project. In the future, it can be offered to the Ministry of Defense as part of the promising research work Legionnaire.
Fighters in equipment "Warrior". Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The goal of the initiative project is to create a disguise that can make a fighter almost invisible to the enemy. To do this, it is necessary to provide protection from surveillance in different ranges and using different means, incl. thermal imagers. This problem is proposed to be solved with the help of new materials with appropriate insulating properties and special dyes. Any wearable countermeasure systems or jamming systems will not be needed.
Also, V. Kormushin pointed out the ideal that camouflage developers are striving for. This is a uniform that can adapt to external conditions. It must change on its own like a chameleon. A soldier in such equipment will not be visible at any time of the day and against any background.
The general director of "Kirasa" spoke about one of the new projects and even described the main tasks and ways to solve them. However, no further details are provided. It is also not reported at what stage this project is, what progress it is already showing and how soon it will be able to be presented to the customer. However, if the project copes with the main tasks, they will definitely talk about it in the future.
in different ranges
Thus, the Cuirass enterprise began the development of a universal camouflage capable of hiding a soldier from various means of observation. As the accumulated experience in the field of camouflage means shows, this task is not easy. The specialists of the organization will have to find the necessary materials and technologies, as well as combine them, taking into account objective factors and limitations.
The concept of advanced military equipment. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In fact, the development of such a means of disguise can be divided into several areas. The first is visual camouflage that hides a fighter or object from observation with the naked eye or through optics. Other directions are outside the visible part of the spectrum. Thus, thermal imagers that perceive infrared radiation have become widespread, and the latter must be disposed of. You should also remember about illuminated optical means and reconnaissance radar stations with the ability to detect a person.
It should be noted that the solution of all these problems does not represent a fundamental difficulty. Various materials and entire products with the necessary capabilities and functions already exist and are used. At the same time, when developing new camouflage options, the Cuirass specialists will have to study all available materials and technologies, incl. in the context of suitability for tailoring uniforms or equipment.
Visible radiation
To prevent or hinder the visual detection of a fighter / object, various camouflage color options have long been used. Traditionally, in the distant past, camouflage patterns were developed for specific conditions. However, several decades ago, work began on universal colors that can perform their tasks in different conditions.
Tank with "Cape" set. Photo by Research Institute of Steel
The most famous in this direction was the MultiCam coloring, developed in the early XNUMXs for the US armed forces. This pattern provides camouflage in a variety of conditions, from green spaces to deserts, incl. at different times of the day. "Multicam" shows the fundamental possibility of creating "multi-purpose" colors. It is also confirmed by similar projects of third countries.
Radical solutions are also possible. It is known about foreign studies on the creation of a universal camouflage that works by reflecting the environment. For this, materials with microparticles that reflect electromagnetic/light waves of different lengths can be used. Such material is disguised as the surrounding object, but does not create a mirror effect. In addition, it is suitable for the manufacture of uniforms - although prohibitively expensive. It is curious that such material does not have to be camouflage.
Against the thermal imager
In the current conditions, a soldier must be hidden not only from optics, but also from thermal imaging systems. In this area, there are already ready-made solutions that have been tested and tested in real conditions. It is quite possible that such ideas can be adapted for use in equipment with all its features and limitations.
As an example, we should recall the domestically developed Nakidka complex, designed to protect armored vehicles from visual surveillance, thermal imagers and radar systems. This complex is a set of covers, made taking into account the size and shape of a particular combat vehicle. Cases are made of a special multilayer material with special properties.
T-90M with "Cape" in the combat zone. Photo of the National Guard
The outer layer of the "Cape" is a camouflage material for optical camouflage. Under it are additional layers that shield infrared radiation and electromagnetic waves from the radar. An armored vehicle with such covers is difficult to see with the naked eye, and a thermal imager or radar, at best, gives a fuzzy signal.
Whether it is possible to create a lightweight analogue of the "Cape" with the same masking functions is unclear. However, the complex for armored vehicles by its very existence shows the fundamental possibility of solving such a problem. Now the challenge may be to scale technology.
Promising direction
It is not yet known on what ideas and decisions the new project of the Kiras enterprise is based. It may well use well-known developments and available materials. The development of completely new ideas and components, both independently and in cooperation with other companies, cannot be ruled out. For obvious reasons, the details of such work have not yet been disclosed.
Although details are not available, recent news shows that the Russian industry is showing interest in the field of camouflage and camouflage. In addition, she is ready to deal with this topic, both by order of the Ministry of Defense, and on her own initiative. In both cases, it will be possible to obtain the necessary results, and the army will receive fundamentally new elements of equipment and uniforms. However, the timing of their appearance is still unknown.
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