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
-
![Energy evolution: How laser defence systems are powering the next phase of air defence (podcast)]()
Energy evolution: How laser defence systems are powering the next phase of air defence (podcast)
Laser-based air defence is moving from promise to deployment as global threats evolve. In this special podcast, we explore how high-energy laser systems are reshaping interception strategies.
-
![Czech Republic set to order RBS 70 NG systems as CAESAR howitzers begin production]()
Czech Republic set to order RBS 70 NG systems as CAESAR howitzers begin production
The Czech Government is to approve the purchase of a fleet of vehicle mounted integrated air defence systems as the country invests to overhaul its equipment. Spending includes two dozen F-35As, CAESAR howitzers and refurbished Leopard tanks.
-
![Latvian ASCOD IFVs to enter service next year as country’s land programmes surge]()
Latvian ASCOD IFVs to enter service next year as country’s land programmes surge
Latvia is buying Austrian Spanish Cooperative Development (ASCOD) infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). The country is investing widely including in the purchase of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Patria 6×6 vehicles, TRML-4D air defence radars and air defence systems and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
-
![Israel brings down drones using a laser, claiming operational first]()
Israel brings down drones using a laser, claiming operational first
The announced successful deployment of a prototype laser foreshadows Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ plans to begin rolling out versions of its Iron Beam laser, beginning later this year.
-
![Hanwha contracted to further develop long-range missile defence radar]()
Hanwha contracted to further develop long-range missile defence radar
The new Multi-Function Radar (MFR) is being developed under Phase II Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM-II) and is planned to provide three to four times greater coverage than the earlier version of L-SAM.
