Marines Testing New Technology to Hide From Enemy Drones
© Saab
In just a short period of time since they were invented, drones have taken many industries by storm. Providing businesses with an easy way to do many tasks that were previously challenging, time consuming and expensive can now be done at a fraction of the cost. However, as much as we have grown to love and rely on drones, there is no denying that in the wrong hands drones can do a lot more harm than good.
For a few years now, the military has been facing one of the biggest threats they have ever faced, the threat of drones. Drones are being used increasingly by enemies to detect soldiers in the battlefield. Drones are extremely effective because they can record high quality video footage and transmit it in real time to the enemies, letting them know exactly where soldiers are hiding. As a result of this rising threat, troops have begun testing a new camouflage net allows them to quickly hide from approaching enemy drones in plain sight.
Marines from the East Coast School of Infantry recently tested the Barracuda Individual Warfighter Net said Steve Simmerer, the director of business development for Saab Defense and Security. According to Simmerer, the nets are made using the same materials soldiers and marines already use to conceal their vehicles, command posts, and weapons. This new technology has been created specifically to help hide soldiers on the battlefield.
The nets will help reduce this threat, according to Simmerer. The six-pound net is available in desert, woodland, and other battlefield specific patterns. Since the hood is detachable, the entire net rolls easily to fit in a small compression bag. Once the marine goes to a location they know is at risk of drone flights by enemies, they can pull the net out quickly, cover their body, and continue with the mission.
The Army and Marine Corps already use the Ultra Lightweight Camouflage Net System from Saab. According to product specifications, the material of the net mitigates any detection in visual, shortwave infrared, thermal infrared and more. As drone technology keeps advancing, so do countermeasures. According to Simmerer, this new technology will be huge advantage of US Marines and soldiers across the world.
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