BAE Systems: an innovative camouflage system

BAE Systems is a leading British defence contractor, offering innovations particularly in the defence sector and, in this instance, in the field of camouflage. It goes without saying that camouflage is essential for the armed forces, forming an integral part of an army’s identity, but it is all the more important in various theatres of operations in order to blend in with the terrain and thereby enhance not only safety but also the effectiveness of the forces deployed. Many companies have therefore specialised in this field, and every day increasingly effective camouflage systems are being developed. Whilst the issue of personnel is paramount, that of vehicles is equally so, and enabling a land vehicle to blend into the landscape is a complex challenge, particularly given the increasingly sophisticated technological capabilities, notably in the fields of night-vision and thermal imaging. This is where BAE Systems is making its contribution; one of its most surprising innovations is a hexagonal-shaped brick whose temperature can be set. The advantage of a system such as this is that it can render the vehicle invisible to night-vision and thermal imaging devices, but how? The body of a military vehicle can be entirely covered with these bricks, the temperature of each of which can be set independently. Consequently, depending on the user’s preference, the vehicle can take on any shape when viewed through thermal imaging.