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: 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, making 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 is not only intended to protect it through 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 foil should last 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 recently on the radio station Agency 104.9 FM of the Greek news service APE-MPE, the company’s CEO Kosmas Prassas said: “This technology is becoming more and more 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
Compared to the stern explains Prasmas: “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 then bring it back to the If you want to have the original color, you subtract it.” 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 that operate behind or near the front lines and do not carry 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, civil vehicles, small systems and military equipment such as laptops and bags, which are usually not particularly camouflaged.
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Intermat sells its products, which in addition to camouflage film also include camouflage film 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. This is probably mainly for tactical reasons.