If you are seen by the enemy in battle, it often ends fatally. A Greek company has developed a special camouflage to prevent it from being shot down. It is intended to make soldiers, military vehicles and systems almost “invisible” in war.
New technologies keep advancing, even in war. Devices such as sensors, drones and modern missiles can now track down military units and eliminate them in a targeted manner – despite good hiding places and camouflage. Intermat, a company from the Greek capital Athens, wants an answer to this: a camouflage film that is supposed to make the military almost “invisible”.
The adhesive film, called “Chameleon Skin” or “Stealth Wrap Film”, is said to be easy to stick to various surfaces such as metal, buildings and runways and make the objects much more difficult for the enemy to detect. It’s available in classic military colors and camouflage patterns that are designed to be difficult to see. But the film should not only protect them with optical camouflage. Rather, “Chameleon Skin” or “Stealth Wrap Film” is intended to prevent detection by enemy sensors and drones, for example, as well as heat-seeking missiles. This is to be achieved by the film preventing the infrared thermal radiation from military vehicles and the like. In addition, it should reflect the sun, which according to the manufacturer results in a cooling effect inside vehicles.
Significant reduction in kill probability
The camouflage film has completed a development phase of around ten years and is currently in its 11th generation. Last month, Intermat presented the now fully developed product for the first time at the IDEX arms fair in Abu Dhabi. The film itself is produced by the US conglomerate 3M and is said to be manufactured according to international standards. “Chameleon Skin” or “Stealth Wrap Film” is said to be resistant to mild alkalis, acids, salt, spilled fuel and water. In addition, it should be able to withstand temperatures between minus 53 degrees and plus 107 degrees, which should make it possible to use it in different areas and situations. The attached film is said to last for more than three years.
Intermat promises a reduction in the probability of being shot down by around 90 percent and, as a result, significantly more safety for personnel and weapon systems. Speaking on the agency 104.9 FM radio station of the Greek news service APE-MPE, the company’s CEO, Kosmas Prassas, recently said: “This technology is becoming increasingly necessary now that thermal sensors and target tracking and aiming systems are currently prevalent on the modern battlefield. “
War camouflage with foil instead of net or repainting
Prassmas explains to the star: “It’s a huge relief, since no special staff is required for painting. For example, if you want to move a beige vehicle to Ukraine, you can take the green film and stick it on. And if you If you want to have it back in its original color afterwards, you can take it off.” Compared to camouflage nets, there is also a decisive advantage: You don’t have to cut nets and spread them out using the appropriate device, as long as you stick on the foil, says Prassas.
“Chameleon Skin” or “Stealth Wrap Film” is “ideal for special units operating behind or near the front lines and carrying non-camouflaged equipment (radios, life support systems, etc.),” it says. In addition to special units, the foil should also bring advantages for reconnaissance units that operate close to the enemy and for units with special weapon systems that cannot use other camouflage means such as nets. But the film is also said to be advantageous for boats, civilian vehicles, small systems and military equipment such as laptops and bags, which are usually not particularly camouflaged.
Intermat sells its products, which in addition to the camouflage foil also include, for example, a camouflage foil with magnets, camouflage paintwork and a special uniform with comparable properties, primarily to the US military. Customers also include government institutions in India and Greece, among others. In Ukraine there is great interest in Greek military products. However, Prassas left unanswered whether the Athens company would sell to the country at war. And what about Turkey, whose relationship with Greece has been strained for years? Although there is a lot of interest from various Turkish sources, Intermat does not sell its products to Turkey “for various reasons,” says Prassas. That’s probably mainly for tactical reasons.
Quellen: Intermat Group, APE-MPE”