[MP-Ryan]

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/09/14/invisible-tank-stars-at-l_n_961587.html?1315998139

A tank that hides in front of your eyes is the star of the show at Defence and Security Equipment International, the arms and technology show on now at London's ExCel centre.

The invisibility cloak tank designed by BAE Systems uses patented “Adaptiv” technology to trick the opposition's infra-red cameras and goggles. The technology is based on hexagonal panels that can change temperature rapidly, while the outer skin displays background scenery that is picked up by on-board cameras. Alternatively, the hexagons can mimic another vehicle to fool the enemy, or display identification tags to avoid friendly fire.

[The E]

A marvellous invention....


...for a war that isn't being fought.

This is something an army would use to camo against an army that is similarly equipped as itself. In this day and age of what is called asymmetrical warfare, it's not quite as effective.

[Scotty]

Assuming that the current trend in warfare will continue forever is just as foolish as thinking this tank is designed to fight in the current trend in warfare.

[jr2]

+1

[redsniper]

A marvellous invention....


...for a war that isn't being fought.

This is something an army would use to camo against an army that is similarly equipped as itself. In this day and age of what is called asymmetrical warfare, it's not quite as effective.

....... I'll take eight!

[Quanto]

A marvellous invention....


...for a war that isn't being fought.

This is something an army would use to camo against an army that is similarly equipped as itself. In this day and age of what is called asymmetrical warfare, it's not quite as effective.

When the third world approaches 1st world status, asymmetrical warfare will fade away as a "transitional" period in warfare; much like the trenches in WWI. We'll be facing equally trained and equipped armies in the future just as we had in the past (WWII), its always good to be prepared for the future.

[deathfun]

This guy made it clear too, that it isn't practical right now

Endre Lunde, defence consultant for Jane's said "There is no practical application for this technology right now, but the military have been trying to conceal the thermal footprint of vehicles for years. I don't think there will be any buyers of this at DSEi, because it is complicated to get right and the thermal footprint is just one part of a vehicle's footprint. It could be useful for big heavy vehicles, and could be used to beat specific thermal footprint-seeking weapons, but they would be no use somewhere like Afghanistan against an IED (improvised explosive device)."

Personally, I think this is bloody cool. Soon we will have active camouflage and I can finally get my James Bond car!

[redsniper]

Oh wait, this is infrared ONLY. Well now I'm much less excited...

[Commander Zane]

It's pretty obvious that it is...

[Dragon]

There was a part of a video that seemed to also show visual camouflage (besides, that's not difficult to do, just slap displays on top of these hexagons).
On the other hand, they'd be like Stealth tanks in CIC. I don't think these panels are very resistant to being shot at, so such vehicle would have reduced armor, not to mention not being so stealthy after taking an MG burst. There are applications in which this would be very useful (mobile artillery, for instance), but an MBT would be better off with more armor.

[deathfun]

There was a part of a video that seemed to also show visual camouflage (besides, that's not difficult to do, just slap displays on top of these hexagons).
On the other hand, they'd be like Stealth tanks in CIC. I don't think these panels are very resistant to being shot at, so such vehicle would have reduced armor, not to mention not being so stealthy after taking an MG burst. There are applications in which this would be very useful (mobile artillery, for instance), but an MBT would be better off with more armor.

Project manager, Peder Sjölund explains: “Earlier attempts at similar cloaking devices have hit problems because of cost, excessive power requirements or because they were insufficiently robust. Our panels can be made so strong that they provide useful armour protection and consume relatively low levels of electricity, especially when the vehicle is at rest in ’stealth recce’ mode and generator output is low.”

Figured I'd point that out

[headdie]

There was a part of a video that seemed to also show visual camouflage (besides, that's not difficult to do, just slap displays on top of these hexagons).
On the other hand, they'd be like Stealth tanks in CIC. I don't think these panels are very resistant to being shot at, so such vehicle would have reduced armor, not to mention not being so stealthy after taking an MG burst. There are applications in which this would be very useful (mobile artillery, for instance), but an MBT would be better off with more armor.

I would have to agree with you there it would be better for that or mechanised recon.  I wonder how well it would apply to something like a field base?

There was a part of a video that seemed to also show visual camouflage (besides, that's not difficult to do, just slap displays on top of these hexagons).
On the other hand, they'd be like Stealth tanks in CIC. I don't think these panels are very resistant to being shot at, so such vehicle would have reduced armor, not to mention not being so stealthy after taking an MG burst. There are applications in which this would be very useful (mobile artillery, for instance), but an MBT would be better off with more armor.

Project manager, Peder Sjölund explains: “Earlier attempts at similar cloaking devices have hit problems because of cost, excessive power requirements or because they were insufficiently robust. Our panels can be made so strong that they provide useful armour protection and consume relatively low levels of electricity, especially when the vehicle is at rest in ’stealth recce’ mode and generator output is low.”

Figured I'd point that out

Usefull armour protection is not the same as equivalent armour protection

[MR_T3D]

Surely this tech could merely be applied on top of most armour systems.
If it makes a tank less visible to attack planes, which AFAIK modern armour won't be able to stop, then there is it's use, in combined arms conflict against another major power (which is always possible, it'd be foolish not be prepared with at least modern designs and small numbers of proofs of concepts, against one)

[headdie]

Surely this tech could merely be applied on top of most armour systems.
If it makes a tank less visible to attack planes, which AFAIK modern armour won't be able to stop, then there is it's use, in combined arms conflict against another major power (which is always possible, it'd be foolish not be prepared with at least modern designs and small numbers of proofs of concepts, against one)

I presume to do that you would need to run cables etc through the the armour at some point which introduces additional weak points in the armour, even if it is just to the generator, which for many reasons is not ideal.  You would also have to consider weight, as using this in addition to regular armour would increase its overall weight which has an impact on speed, movement range and ability to negotiate boggy and other soft terrain.  Also this system like with everything else is not perfect and I suspect it wont be long before systems capable of circumventing the technology, for example detecting unusual or distorted magnetic fields would be developed which would reduce the effectiveness of the technique against smart weapons, though it's use against satellite recon and infantry patrols would probably remain.

[Bobboau]

there has already got to be a hole some place for intake and exhaust for the engine,run it through there.

[Dragon]

I think that stealth recon, tank destroyers, arty and support vehicles could use that tech, just not MBTs/IFVs . While these panels do provide armor, they're not DU nor reactive armor in terms of efficiency. Also, I don't know if they'd be able to function after being hit. Not to mention there's one more thing to be considered - thermal imaging. This tech could work in visible-near IR (like in NV googles), but against thermal sights, it'd be much less effective, unless you find some miracle engine coolant.

[MP-Ryan]

I think that stealth recon, tank destroyers, arty and support vehicles could use that tech, just not MBTs/IFVs . While these panels do provide armor, they're not DU nor reactive armor in terms of efficiency. Also, I don't know if they'd be able to function after being hit. Not to mention there's one more thing to be considered - thermal imaging. This tech could work in visible-near IR (like in NV googles), but against thermal sights, it'd be much less effective, unless you find some miracle engine coolant.

I think the point is that it attempts to mask the IR signature altogether.  I thought the video included use of thermal sights...

[StarSlayer]

I think that stealth recon, tank destroyers, arty and support vehicles could use that tech, just not MBTs/IFVs . While these panels do provide armor, they're not DU nor reactive armor in terms of efficiency. Also, I don't know if they'd be able to function after being hit. Not to mention there's one more thing to be considered - thermal imaging. This tech could work in visible-near IR (like in NV googles), but against thermal sights, it'd be much less effective, unless you find some miracle engine coolant.

I think the point is that it attempts to mask the IR signature altogether.  I thought the video included use of thermal sights...

That was my impression as well, quite frankly being able to thermal mask a platoon of hull down MBTs from air cover or an advancing enemy force would be pretty tactically worthwhile. 

[Dragon]

Well, if it works against thermal imaging, then it would also have plenty of drawbacks. For instance, it'd become much less effective in cold environments, and most likely unable to mask barrels and engine cooling grates. You just need to do something with that heat, or you risk overheating the whole thing.

[headdie]

Well, if it works against thermal imaging, then it would also have plenty of drawbacks. For instance, it'd become much less effective in cold environments, and most likely unable to mask barrels and engine cooling grates. You just need to do something with that heat, or you risk overheating the whole thing.

then fine you strip it off and slot on an extra layer of armour instead