Arctic Foxes Inspire Army Search for Reversible Camouflage in Greenland Tests

LifeZette reports that Army researchers tested new camouflage coatings in Pituffik, Greenland, looking for concealment that can change with terrain, light and the seasons. The outlet ties the work to the Arctic's growing importance as a place where forces may have to fight.

Key points

• The experiment: The Army Corps of Engineers and Army Research Laboratory ran it earlier this year within a testing series organized by ICE-PPR and the Office of Naval Research, using sensors to gauge how well each coating hid equipment.
• Beyond the visible: Anthony Fragoso, artificial intelligence lead at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, said snow that looks white to the eye can appear black in some wavelengths adversaries can see.
• Fox model: The team took cues from local Arctic foxes, which go from white in winter to brown in summer. Fragoso said reversible, flexible solutions are the goal.
• Two theaters: He noted the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division also deploys to the Pacific and does not want gear painted white that may end up in Taiwan.
• Next step: A fast-applied coating will be tested on Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicles in Alaska, with the Alaska National Guard filming it from helicopters with thermal cameras.

Quick take

The project is still in research and development. Mike Parker, the laboratory's cold regions mobility lead, said fabrics and other options are being weighed alongside coatings, and that anything offering a tactical advantage is on the table.

Read the full story at LifeZette.