Military

The Secrets of Barracuda Multi-Spectral Camouflage

Signature management is the name of the game, hiding armour in plain sight from sensor-guided missiles — and troopers too

Pictures are circulating of armoured vehicles in Ukraine which are ‘wearing’ Barracuda multi-spectral camouflage (‘MSP’). This is a fascinating development in stealth technology.

Modern warfare demands stealth and concealment technologies that can adapt to the dynamic battlefield and environment.

Among the forefront innovations in this field is the Barracuda Multi-Spectral Camouflage (‘MSP’) system. Developed by Saab, a Swedish defense company, Barracuda (brand name) is claimed to be a cutting-edge solution that provides military personnel with enhanced protection and adaptability. I have no affiliation with Saab.

Other manufacturers of MSP include HyperStealth Biotechnology Corp., BAE Systems, ADS Inc., and DRS Technologies among many.

Evolution

Camouflage has not always been a fundamental aspect of warfare. The apparent idiocy of brightly coloured uniforms such as the British ‘Redcoats’ wore was necessary for force manouevres when battles were set-piece face-offs such as at Waterloo.

Before modern communication systems were developed, identifying friendly troops on the battlefield was challenging. Brightly coloured uniforms helped commanders and soldiers recognise their allies during the chaos of combat. Different regiments and units often had distinctive colours and patterns, making it easier for troops to rally together and avoid friendly fire.

National pride played a part too — countries wanted their soldiers to stand out and be easily recognisable as representatives of their nation. Wearing national colours instilled a sense of pride and loyalty in the troops, fostering a stronger connection to their homeland and the cause they were fighting for. There was also a psychological impact on the enemy.

There is an eerie echo here. ‘The Thin Red Line’ entered everyday usage.

The Thin Red Line described an episode of the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854, during the Crimean War. In the incident, around 500 men of the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders led by Sir Colin Campbell, aided by a small force of 100 walking wounded, 40 detached Guardsmen, and supported by a substantial force of Turkish infantrymen, formed a line of fire against the Russian cavalry. (Wikipedia).

But this was soon to change. The American War of Independence started the move towards discreet uniform colours when many irregulars fought against the British and used concealment and country clothing colouring to advantage.

By the time of the First World War, uniforms were generally changing mainly to typically khaki coloured for Allied forces and field grey for German. These persisted into the Second World War, and winter camouflage started to appear.

Various forms of camouflage were being used to disguise ships and aircraft, but as sensor technologies evolved during the Cold War then more sophisticated camouflage was required.

The word ‘stealth’ crept into aircraft and ship design. Stealth was enabled by physical design to reduce radar cross-section, thermal signature, sound output and other effects.

But some simple techniques are still being used. Even today Russia is using paint to disguise its ships in an attempt to fool satellite images and surface drones.

But AI is being used successfully to analyse satellite images.

Enough of ships and planes, let’s get back to solid ground.

I’m going to take Saab’s Barracuda MSP as an example and look at its features in detail.

Barracuda is named in recognition of the fish which can change its colour to suit its background. The fish have specialised cells called chromatophores in their skin that contain pigments. By expanding or contracting these chromatophores, barracudas can alter the distribution and intensity of the pigments, which results in subtle changes in their colouration.

Camouflage is an important function of colour change in barracudas. While they cannot change colour as dramatically as some species like chameleons, barracudas can adjust their pigmentation slightly to better match their surroundings, making them less visible to both predators and prey.

MSP camouflage

Multi-spectral camouflage is a revolutionary technology that aims to conceal military assets from sensors operating across various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike traditional camouflage that mainly focuses on the visible spectrum, multi-spectral camouflage addresses infrared (IR), thermal, and other electronic signatures as well. Barracuda takes this concept to the next level.

Barracuda MSP features

There are a half dozen specific features which give Barracuda its claimed sector-leading abilities.

1. Adaptive colouring

The camouflage system employs advanced pigments and materials that change their colour and pattern based on the background, whether it’s a forest, desert, or urban setting. This adaptability ensures that personnel and equipment remain concealed in diverse operational scenarios.

How can it do this?

Russia may know more about this secret technology than I can discover, but pigments that are capable of changing their colour or reflectance properties in response to changes in light, temperature, or other environmental factors singly or in combination. These pigments could mimic the colours of the surrounding environment, ensuring that the camouflaged object remains inconspicuous.

• Thermochromic materials can change colour based on temperature variations. They are sensitive to heat and can shift their appearance when to adapt to the surrounding temperature, providing effective concealment in both hot and cold environments.
• Photochromic materials can change their colour in response to changes in light intensity, just like a pair of spectacles. When exposed to sunlight or other sources of UV radiation, these materials undergo a reversible chemical reaction, causing them to darken or lighten.
• Electrochromic materials can alter their colour in response to an applied electric field. By using electrical signals, the camouflage could change its appearance to match the background more accurately, even in rapidly changing environments. This would obviously require a power supply. This is coming soon to a car near you:

LAS VEGAS, Jan 6 (Reuters) — German carmaker BMW has unveiled the world’s first “colour-changing” car at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

The concept car, called the BMW iX Flow, uses electronic ink technology normally found in e-readers to transform the car’s exterior into a variety of patterns in gray and white.

When stimulated by electrical signals controlled by a phone app, the material brings different pigments to the surface, causing the car to take on a different shade or design, such as racing stripes. — Reuters

2. Infrared (IR) suppression

Think of the IR rangefinder in your camera. Active infrared technology is widely used for target acquisition and tracking, making it crucial to reduce these signatures effectively by reducing the reflectivity of incoming IR signals. Barracuda achieves this through the strategic use of specialised materials that disperse and absorb IR radiation.

3. Low radar reflectivity

Another critical aspect of modern warfare is radar invisibility. The Barracuda system incorporates materials with low radar reflectivity, commonly known as radar-absorbent materials (RAM). These RAM coatings reduce the radar cross-section of military assets, making them more difficult for enemy radar systems to detect.

4. Thermal Signature Reduction

Passive IR imaging technology allows adversaries to detect heat signatures from personnel, vehicles, and equipment. Barracuda addresses this concern by integrating thermal-absorbing materials into the camouflage design. Techniques include thermal blanketing of engine compartments and gun barrels.

Exhaust heat dissipation of vehicles is dealt with by the physical design of the vehicle, not the camouflage system.

5. UV Protection

Ultraviolet (UV) light can be used for reconnaissance and tracking purposes. Barracuda camouflages offer enhanced UV protection, preventing detection and enhancing overall concealment during daytime operations.

Benefits of MSP

Enhanced survivability of military personnel and equipment may seem obvious, but there are other benefits too.

Increased Operational Flexibility: Traditional camouflage often requires equipment and personnel to be repainted or re-camouflaged when changing operational environments. With Barracuda’s adaptive colouring feature, this process is streamlined, enabling forces to operate seamlessly across diverse landscapes without compromising their concealment.

Force Multiplication: MSP enhances the ability of smaller units to operate effectively in high-threat environments. By reducing the risk of detection, these units can gain a significant tactical advantage, potentially leading to force multiplication and mission success.

Counterintelligence Advantage: By making it harder for adversaries to gather intelligence on friendly forces, it improves operational security and hinders the enemy’s decision-making process.

Applications of MSP

Saab markets its Barracuda MSP technology for use by infantry, on vehicles, aircraft and ships. Also MSP camouflage nets are available for general military usage.

Barracuda MSP is really a brand name which embraces a set of technologies which can be combined in various ways depending on the specific requirement. The technology mix includes special paint coatings.

And now we have come full circle, with MSP camouflage clothing being available for hunters although these are optimised for concealment against the eyesight of deer and similar animals. But not for their sense of smell, as far as I know.

It’s worth mentioning the Italian “ProApto” camouflage which focuses on 3D individual camouflage, in the form of multispectral Ghillie Suits is designed also for amphibious operations and both tropical and arctic environments.

And the future? I think will be a blast from the past. If you’ve seen the 1987 film, then you’ll know exactly what I mean:

Of course the front line future on the ground may well be one of AI-controlled robotic soldiers and armour — but they will still need to employ concealment technology.

Further context:

On a lighter note, as I included a picture of men in skirts, I’d better correct the gender camouflage balance…

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