The challenge of making the inflatable illusion and training centre
HIMARS is one of the more complex inflatables i2K Defense has made. (Photo: i2K Defense)
Faking aircraft, yanks and vehicles has a storied history through the previous century but there are others uses for inflatable systems such as more detailed and classified military equipment and training structures.
Traditionally inflatable systems have been used for decoys of basic military vehicles and aircraft and more recently to create tactical training environments, but makers are also rising up to the challenge of creating more classified platforms with less physical data.
Portable shoot houses enable creation of a realistic tactical training environment using reconfigurable rubber walls, removing the need to rely on and possibly damage existing buildings. However, the same technology is finding fresh application in the often highly classified sphere of creating battlefield decoys of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and other weapon systems.
Stacy Gray, government sales consultant
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![British Army defeats swarm with Thales radio frequency anti-drone system]()
British Army defeats swarm with Thales radio frequency anti-drone system
Developed by a Thales UK-led industry consortium, the demonstrator has been designed to explore the potential of radiofrequency weapons for the UK Armed Forces and is being trialled by the British Army.
-
![Hanwha Aerospace to jointly produce guided missiles in Poland]()
Hanwha Aerospace to jointly produce guided missiles in Poland
The joint venture between Hanwha Aerospace and Poland’s WB Group will see them locally produce CGR80 missiles for the Homar-K multiple rocket launch system, with the first batch produced by 2028.
-
![BAE Systems takes another step towards restarting M777 howitzer production]()
BAE Systems takes another step towards restarting M777 howitzer production
The M777 155mm lightweight howitzer is in service with more than six countries and has been heavily used in Ukraine. The latest contract is part of an effort to restart the manufacture of M777 towed howitzers.
