Eurosatory 2012 : Saab Promotes 'Second Skin' Vehicle Protection

Multi-spectral signature management technology has become as important to combat platforms as a combat vest is to an infantryman, according to Saab.


Speaking to Shephard at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, company officials dispelled the myth that such technology was no more than a glorified camouflage net.


Director of marketing for Saab's Barracuda solution, Niklas Ålund said: 'It is starting to become a solution for vehicles in all operations like part of a uniform or a combat vest for a soldier. It means a vehicle can be adapted for any type of mission.

'During the Cold War, we needed more capability than just good weaponry. Therefore, the Swedes started to look at stealth and integrated Barracuda as a second skin onto platforms,' he continued.


The Barracuda system comprises four layers of material providing stealth design, surface treatment, add-on materials and camouflage, concealment and deception. This allows a platform to operate undetected by altering ultraviolet, visible, near infrared, thermal infrared and radar signatures.


Referring to Sweden's Leopard A6 main battle tank, first drafted into service during the Cold War, Ålund proclaimed how Saab's Barracuda system had turned the platform into a 'patrol vehicle' for operations in Afghanistan.

'It can be used for shelters and shade, storage and dust suppression,' he explained while describing the system's application for all varieties of environments ranging from the Arctic and jungle through to the desert.


Barracuda, according to Saab, can reduce a vehicle's radar signature by up to 80% so smart munitions will not recognise it as a target. In addition, Ålund explained that Barracuda all prevented gun barrels from overheating, thereby assisting fire control systems in maintaining their zero.

The third generation Barracuda system was launched earlier this year, providing some 10% in weight savings as well as increased protection against thermal imaging and radars by up to 20%. Existing customers include Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the UK.


Finally, Barracuda is also deployed with special forces as a 'ghillie' suit for snipers which Saab claimed left them undetectable by thermal imaging sensors.