Saab launches Barracuda ULCAS camouflage

Saab's ULCAS FSS technology gives armed forces the possibility of combining protection from the enemy with the possibility of communicating with friendly forces. (Saab Barracuda AB/Johan Lindqvist)

Saab announced in a press release on 5 September a new feature for its Barracuda Ultra-lightweight Camouflage Screen (ULCAS), giving operators the possibility of combining protection from the enemy with the possibility of communicating with friendly forces.

Previewing the announcement during an embargoed online press briefing on 4 September, Johan Jersblad, senior development engineer at Saab, explained that ULCAS FSS (frequency selective surface) technology can tune which signals can go in and out of the camouflage net while retaining radar protection. He said lower frequencies can be selected that can go through the net, underneath which the Global Positioning System (GPS) and radio signals are good.

Whereas armed forces choose communication over protection, with the ULCAS FSS it is possible to have both, according to Jersblad. Henning Robach, head of Saab's Barracuda business unit, said, “We are taking camouflage to the next level with this novel feature. It changes how soldiers communicate while keeping multispectral protection, and so introduces a new era of tactical communication flexibility, offering unparalleled capabilities.”

Robach said ULCAS FSS technology was developed internally by Saab, which has shown it during multiple demonstrations. The technology will be shown at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2023, to be held in London from 12 to 15 September. At DSEI, Saab's Barracuda mobile camouflage system (MCS) will be shown with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), UK Ajax and Ares, Jankel, and Hanwha vehicles.