Low-Cost Textiles for Dismounted Signature Management

In order to address the need for a low-cost textile for dismounted signature management, a novel IR camouflage coating will be applied to the current MARPAT fabric using commercially scalable processes.  These coatings will significantly reduce the mid wave and long wave IR signatures of the fabric, while retaining the visible and near IR signature management capabilities of the current fabric.  The signature management properties of the newly coated fabric will be tested using reflectometry and visible and IR imaging sensors upon exposure to a range of temperatures.  Additionally, the air permeability, coloration, and launderability of the coated fabric will be tested during the Phase I effort.    The prototype coating formulation and coating process developed during the Phase I effort will serve as a foundation for a Phase II effort in which optimized and scalable processes shall be developed and demonstrated.