Special paint hides vehicles and buildings from enemy sensors. (ARMORED VEHICLE)S.PARIS Paris, in Greek mythology Paris or Alexander, in Greek mythology, son of Priam and Hecuba and brother of Hector. Because it was prophesied that he would cause the destruction of Troy, Paris was abandoned on Mt. -- As thermal scanners and other heat-sensitive sensors improve and proliferate pro·lif·er·ate v. To grow or multiply by rapidly producing new tissue, parts, cells, or offspring. , militaries have begun to realize such technologies also expose vulnerabilities, and are seeking ways to protect their troops and assets. Intermat Defence Coatings, based in Athens, Greece, has developed an advanced technology paint that can reduce the thermal and infrared An invisible band of radiation at the lower end of the visible light spectrum. With wavelengths from 750 nm to 1 mm, infrared starts at the end of the microwave spectrum and ends at the beginning of visible light. signatures of ground, naval and air vehicles and infrastructures, allowing troops to operate without triggering detection by heat-sensitive devices. "We try to protect the object by eliminating its signature," says Bill Fills, assistant director of the company. The coatings can be customized to reduce temperatures to a specific degree so that objects blend in Verb 1. blend in - blend or harmonize; "This flavor will blend with those in your dish"; "This sofa won't go with the chairs" blend, go fit, go - be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired; "This piece won't fit into the puzzle" with the ambient temperature Outside temperature at any given altitude, preferably expressed in degrees centigrade. , he says. Infrared signatures can be reduced up to 50 percent, and surface temperatures can be reduced up to 65 percent, says Fills. While there are other coatings in the market, most other products offer protection from a small range--about 2000 nanometers--of infrared spectrum Noun 1. infrared spectrum - the spectrum of infrared radiation infrared, infrared frequency - the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum; electromagnetic wave frequencies below the visible range; "they could sense radiation in the infrared" , he says. Intramat's coatings, on the other hand, cover the wide infrared spectrum, from 400 to 20,000 nanometers. That means structures coated with the paint are indiscernible by a larger group of sensors, from thermal viewers and night vision products to satellites and laser targeting systems, says Fills. The paints come in camouflage camouflage (kăm`əfläzh), in warfare, the disguising of objects with artificial aids, especially for the purpose of making them blend into their surroundings or of deceiving the observer as to the location of strategic points. colors and are simple to apply. They can be sprayed on top of existing paint and are designed to last for at least three years with very minimal maintenance, says Fills. The coatings can work on helicopters. But they haven't been used on fixed-wing planes yet, because at high speeds, the coatings may lose performance, he says. The U.S. Army has expressed interest in the product and the company is awaiting feedback, says Fills. Intermat recently adapted its coating for polyester-based fabrics. It also produces anti-thermal cream and uniforms for special forces. |
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