STO-Activities: (no title)

Activity title: Materials for Thermal Infrared Camouflage – Development and Characterization
Activity Reference: AVT-SET-417
Panel: AVT
Security Classification: NATO UNCLASSIFIED
Status: Planning
Activity type: RTG
Start date: 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z
Actual End date: 2027-12-31T00:00:00Z
Keywords: Camouflage, Concealment, Deception, Materials, Thermal Infrared
Background: Two previous NATO AVT activities, AVT-ET-212 and AVT-371 RWS, explored the application of advanced and novel materials and technologies for Electro-Optical (EO) camouflage. Following an initial questionnaire and the subsequent workshop it was concluded that the thermal infrared waveband is and will continue to be an important detection method that could be used by adversaries in theatres of operation.
Objectives: The objectives for this RTG will be to evaluate candidate materials for reducing the thermal infrared signature of current and future NATO forces.
 
This will include:
• Laboratory characterization of candidate materials and technologies
• Integration of technologies and material solutions
• In field assessment of materials and technologies when integrated onto the unclassified vehicle surrogate
 
The plan of work for this activity comprises four phases; Planning, Design, Making and preliminary Testing plus planning for a Cooperative Demonstration of Technology (CDT).
Phase 0: Planning. This phase will predominately be conducted through online meetings to establish:
• What the vehicle surrogate will be; current options include a light field generator (LFG) and STANDCAM
• a small number of cross-national teams that will work together on a mutually agreed approach
• an agreed prioritized test matrix based on military requirements ranging from signature suppression effectiveness, time taken to deploy/dismantle and stow, ‘ruggedness’, size, weight, power, cost, logistics etc.
• access to the vehicle surrogate for use during the subsequent phases.
Phase 1: Design. Each cross nation team will assess materials or technologies within the laboratory environment to provide:
• an initial measure of performance of the proposed palliative materials or technologies using coupon measurements
• a selection of materials or technologies to direct the application of the proposed palliatives to the vehicle surrogate to reduce large area and hotspot CRI.
• a developed equipment fit scheme for the application of selected palliative materials or technologies.
• a thermal signature model of the design – it is understood that some, more advanced materials and technologies, have not been successfully implemented in commercial off the shelf thermal signature prediction models (optional)
• A documented equipment fit.
Phase 2: Make. Each cross-nation team will prepare a modified vehicle surrogate designed to:
• fulfil the requirements embodied in the prioritized test matrix arising from Phase 0
• make use of the materials selection and design arising from Phase 1.
• Use local field testing locations to undertake a preliminary assessment against the prioritized test matrix.
• Following the preliminary assessment undertake remedial work to ‘refine’ the design.
• Document the Phase 2 design.
Phase 3: Test. Assessment of MWIR and LWIR signature suppression materials and technologies applied to a vehicle surrogate – including scientific, engineering and military DOTMIL aspects through the following:
• undertake a detailed assessment against the prioritized test matrix, potentially at a small number of joint locations (TBD)
• consider provision of supporting instrumentation, instrument operators and analysts for IR signature assessment at joint locations (TBD)
• Phase 3 assessment may include active participation of service personnel to cover DOTMIL aspects.
• prepare a contribution for the RTG final report.
 
Following the field evaluation of the different materials and technologies, it is proposed to run a CDT activity to enable direct comparison of all the MWIR and LWIR signature suppression materials and technologies. In preparation for this follow on project the following are proposed:
• plan the scope and format of the CDT
• undertake visits to one or more potential demonstration locations to understand local facilities and logistics
 
A final report will be produced detailing the findings from the work as well as identifying the best solutions for specific platform signature requirements to meet STANAG 4319 (counter surveillance requirements for future main battle tanks – infrared/thermal aspects).
Topics: The key topics areas covered in this RTG will be;
-Materials development
-Materials integration
-Materials assessment and characterization
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Created at 31/10/2023 19:01 by System Account
Last modified at 16/05/2024 23:00 by System Account
 
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