Com-Central.net

- genepresta

I helped field these to the Australians here at Fort Hood last year. We trained their Armor school teacheers and some other NCOs and officers from their Armor Regiment.

What made their tanks unique was the FLIR from the SEP was installed in the gunner station. The SA (Situational Awareness) indicates a BFT type of insatallation using their GPS gear.

I got to work with these guys and it was the highlight of my time at General Dynamics. The were extremely professional and kept you on your toes with their questions.

For DONTOS, I am no longer a lurker!

In less than six months, Saab Barracuda has delivered prototype camouflage systems fitted to Australia’s Darwin based fleet of M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks and M88A2 Hercules Armoured Recovery Vehicles giving them stealth qualities and higher survivability on the battlefield.

The contract worth 4.5 million AUD was signed in December 2007 to design, manufacture and fit camouflage to these tracked vehicles. The Australian Army identified the need to reduce the multispectral signatures and to customize the vehicles for Australian conditions. These special design camouflage systems significantly reduce the visual, radar and infrared signature of the vehicles. The second part of this requirement was achieved using Saab’s Heat Transfer Reduction technologies which make the internal environment of the vehicle more liveable in the extreme conditions of northern Australia.

Saab has been supplying the Australian Defence Force with its signature management capability for thirty years, and this project reaffirms their trust in Saab’s capability and experience�, says Bob Fuller, Managing Director of Saab Barracuda Pty Ltd.

The Abrams tanks are built in USA but they needed multispectral camouflage systems and crew heat protection appropriate for the Australia’s theatre of operations. The effectiveness of the multispectral camouflage systems is being verified in tests conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.

The design and manufacture was carried out by Saab Barracuda in Sydney with materials and support from Saab Barracuda, Sweden, and other local suppliers. This camouflage system now has export potential for the other countries using advanced classes of main battle tanks.

23 April 2008

- Dontos

(Where can I sign up,.... )

- Jens_O_Mehner

- Dontos

(Where can I sign up,.... )

Glad to help Don, have a look here.



Jens O.

- Joe_D

Any takers??

ABC news

Joe D

- Dontos

- Jens_O_Mehner

- Dontos

(Where can I sign up,.... )

Glad to help Don, have a look here.



Jens O.

HA HA HA,....I actually might qualify,.....hmmmm. No, don't think my wife would warm up to that idea.

I would be interested to see how the camo system reduces thermal signature, as well as how it is applied. Is it applied, or a screening net system. Guess I need to do some digging.

Still a neat addition. I wonder if 'we' will consider adoption of this, if it hasn't been undertaken already.

Thanks for this update.

Don

Multi-Spectral Camouflage System (MCS) for the M1A1 and M88A2 AFVs

The MCS is a visual camouflage system that provides heat transfer reduction to reduce the impact of solar loading on the vehicle structure with a subsequent reduction in thermal stress for the vehicle crew.

Other key components of the MCS is the ability to reduce the vehicle’s signature in the visual/near infrared, thermal and radar wavelengths. Signature reduction lessens the vehicle’s detectability, and therefore enhances survivability, on the battlefield.

The MCS needs to be capable of manufacture in different materials and/or colours and camouflage patterns to provide for different signature management schemes more appropriate for conditions both within and outside of Australia. This provides flexibility to meet specific operational scenarios.

The MCS shall be capable of modification should future structural modifications be made to the vehicle. These vehicle modifications could include such additions as appliqué armour packages, external weapon stations or protection systems.

The MCS shall reduce the thermal signature of the vehicle at all times of the day in both the 3-5mm and 8-12mm by 5 dB. The MCS shall attenuate the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of the vehicle in the 8-18 GHz frequency ranges by 12 dB.

The MCS shall not support fungal growth when tested in accordance with AS/NZS 1157.2.

The MCS shall remain fixed to the Vehicle when it is being transported by train at a speed of up to 115 km/hr.

An approved Pattern scheme for the appliqué system is issued at Annex D to the SOW. Alternative pattern schemes proposed by the tenderer will be reviewed by the Commonwealth for suitability to the northern Australian environment and the shape of the vehicles themselves.