Means of disguise of the "Mantis-Z" family
One of the variants of the "Mantis-Z" costume. Photo "Alfa-K" / RT
In connection with the rapid development of means of observation and detection, incl. operating in different ranges, means of masking personnel and materiel are of particular importance. Russian industry regularly offers solutions of this kind. Thus, the Alfa-K company has recently developed, brought to production and military testing a new camouflage suit "Mantis-Z", designed to protect against thermal imagers.
New of the year
Camouflage suit "Bogomol-Z" and technologies for its manufacture were developed by the company "Alfa-K" (Nizhny Novgorod). She first introduced a new line of products in April of this year at the Moscow specialized exhibition "Equipment". During the exhibition, the main features of the new suit and the technologies used to create it were revealed.
On June 23, the RT news agency published a long interview with a representative of the Alfa-K company, Viktor Konstantinopolsky. He told what technologies underlie the new development, how exactly they are implemented, and what has been done so far.
Alfa-K is engaged in vacuum metallization of various products - the company has technologies for applying metal coatings to various materials. In particular, the results of her collaboration with one of the foreign fashion houses were widely known in the world. By his order, Russian specialists carried out metallization of the fur, due to which a special shine was achieved.
Reportedly, the idea of metallization of soft materials, incl. textiles developed. It was proposed to use it in the manufacture of camouflage for personnel - this is how the initiative project "Praying Mantis-Z" appeared. To date, a new camouflage suit of this type has been developed and various tests are being carried out. In addition, the project attracted the attention of the Ministry of Defense.
Snipers in camouflage suits of the serial model in position. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Back in April, it was reported that the Mantis-Z suits were in the area of the Special Operation and are being tested in practice. At that time, it was said about demonstrating good results, at least not worse than those of foreign counterparts. In a June interview, a representative of Alpha-K noted that, based on the results of tests in the troops, the suits are being finalized and improved. The development company is ready to continue these processes.
Technologies and results
The Praying Mantis-Z project uses well-known principles, but is based on original solutions and technologies. This achieves an advantageous ratio of efficiency and cost. At the same time, further improvement of the project can improve all key indicators of finished products.
The "Mantis-Z" is based on the principle of shielding the heat generated by the human body or equipment. At rest or during active actions, the body or materiel emit heat, which can be detected using infrared equipment. The camouflage made of a special material must cut off thermal radiation and prevent it from reaching the thermal imager.
Alfa-K has developed a similar material. A thin layer of metal particles is applied to the base (which one is not specified). Such a coating practically does not affect the mechanical properties of the base, but reflects infrared radiation. In addition, the use of some other solutions is mentioned, but their nature is not specified due to trade secrets. This ensures water resistance and the possibility of use in any season.
Products of any required configuration can be made from the new material. As it was reported the other day, two versions of the Mantis-Z suit are now being tested in the troops. The first includes a jacket and trousers, and the second consists of a raincoat and trousers. There are seven options for each of these costumes. They differ in a camouflage pattern designed for different conditions, and also have different designs - for certain climatic and weather conditions.
Tank T-90M with a set of "Cape". Photo of the National Guard
The performance characteristics of Mantis-Z products, such as the level of radiation reduction, have not yet been published. At the same time, the manufacturer reports that the kit, depending on the version, weighs no more than 1-3 kg. During wearing and movement, the suit practically does not rustle.
The production of a new disguise is said to be easy. It can be mastered by almost any sewing enterprise - the cutting of new material is carried out according to patterns, after which the finished product is sewn together. With all this, a limited cost of kits is provided - up to 150 thousand rubles. Similar samples of foreign production cost several times more.
Technology scaling
At the moment, the promising material from Alfa-K is used only in the manufacture of some elements of the fighter's equipment. As the development company notes, they first planned to provide front-line scouts with a new disguise. At the same time, there is a fundamental possibility of manufacturing other products, incl. not only for people.
The company proposes to establish a mass production of new items of equipment. Raincoats, jackets and trousers can be completed with head and shoulder covers, sleeping bags, etc. The presence of such products will improve the secrecy of the actions of our troops and make it difficult to detect them.
The next step in the creation of camouflage is being worked out. On the basis of existing technology, protection means for various equipment can be created. They should have higher thermal insulation characteristics, but this is not a fundamental difficulty. If there is interest on the part of the customer, the development company is ready to manufacture and submit experimental kits of this kind for testing in a short time.
The camouflaged position of the combat vehicle. Photo Telegram / "Corner of Sith"
Within the direction
It should be recalled that at present a large number of various camouflage means are being produced for the Russian army, both for personnel and for various materiel. New products of the Bogomol-Z family from Alfa-K will be able to complement other products, and in some cases compete with them.
It should also be noted that the Russian industry has already developed means of protection against thermal imaging devices. For example, together with tanks some types have been using the Cape kit for a long time. It includes several multi-layer covers that provide visual camouflage, as well as reduce the infrared and radar signature of the object.
Thanks to the Praying Mantis-Z project, our troops will be able to receive similar means for personnel - light and comfortable, as well as effective. Right now, the first copies of such kits are being tested under the conditions of the Special Operation, showing their characteristics, and also helping to determine the directions for further development.
Positive trends
How soon the tests of the Mantis-Z products in the troops will end, what their results will be, and how they will affect the future fate of this project, is still unknown. However, there are grounds for positive assessments and forecasts. The new disguise is already showing its best side, and we can expect an order for a full-fledged production.
With all this, the very fact of the appearance of such a project is of great importance. The new development of Alfa-K shows that even enterprises that are not directly related to the defense complex are ready to participate in the creation of various products and means for the army. Depending on the available or available technologies and competencies, they are ready to create and produce different products - and thus contribute to the common cause.
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