The new urban warfare configuration builds on Saab’s well-known Barracuda MCS technology which is a tailor-made, multi-purpose covering with optimized colors, designs and properties for all environments. It enhances survivability, sustainability and logistics of vehicles and equipment, while all the time providing a ‘stealth’ or masking capability in the visual, near-infrared, thermal infrared and broadband radar wavelengths.
“This is a natural step in the development of our world leading MCS system. We have seen an increased emphasis on vehicle protection during operations in urban terrain, and this is our response. Our new Urban Warfare MCS increases a customer’s ability to operate in built-up and man-made environments where detection and engagement distances are very short. In these theatres it is vital to have a few extra seconds of decision space, when threats are literally ‘just around the corner’. We see a great future for these kinds of configurations,” said Anders Wiman, Head of Saab business unit Barracuda.
During September’s DSEI 2015 exhibition Saab announced an order from General Dynamics UK to provide the Urban Warfare MCS for the British Army’s Ajax (formerly SCOUT SV) program. The order is part of a September 2014 contract awarded to General Dynamics UK by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) covering the delivery of 589 Ajax platforms to the British Army. The contract between Saab and General Dynamics UK covers MCS systems for the first batch of vehicles to be acquired from the 589 total. Deliveries are planned until 2022.
Saab Barracuda´s advanced camouflage technology products have already been exported to more than 50 countries. Saab offers a unique package of Barracuda camouflage systems and force protection solutions that decrease the enemy’s ability to detect and engage. These solutions protect personnel, vehicles and base infrastructure against hostile sensors and enemy target acquisition.