Saab unveiled the BARRACUDA PONCHO, a new individual multispectral camouflage system designed to protect dismounted soldiers from detection across the visual, thermal and infrared spectrum. During a visit to Saab Dynamics' facility in Karlskoga (Sweden), FW Mag received a dedicated briefing on the product from Daniel Nordstrom, Director Marketing and Sales of the Barracuda business unit.

The PONCHO is the direct successor to the BARRACUDA SOLDIER SYSTEM, sharing identical materials and multispectral properties while introducing a redesigned poncho-style form that improves wearability and preserves full freedom of movement. The system weighs just over 1 kg and incorporates an integrated hood. Spectral coverage spans the visual, NIR (Near Infrared), SWIR (Short Wave Infrared) and TIR (Thermal Infrared) bands; the Arctic variant adds UV protection, relevant in snow-covered terrain where ultraviolet reflectivity is significant. The system is reversible: one side carries the environmental camouflage pattern — available in woodland, arctic and urban/stony desert variants — while the reverse is plain grey, optimised for thermal signature reduction during night operations when TIR masking is the primary requirement.

The system was developed in response to the increased use of ISR UAVs equipped with thermal and IR sensors, which expose soldiers to detection risk even during brief movements away from a concealed position or vehicle. Saab has validated long-term material durability through testing of BARRACUDA nets after ten years of use in desert conditions, confirming full retention of original multispectral properties. The PONCHO is currently in pre-series prototype evaluation with several armed forces; series production deliveries have not yet begun.

The new system joins a product family with over 100 million square metres delivered since first supply to the Swedish Armed Forces in 1957, now covering more than 55 export customers. The BARRACUDA range addresses the full spectrum of signature management needs: the MOBILE CAMOUFLAGE SYSTEM (MCS) covers vehicle platforms from light wheeled vehicles to main battle tanks and watercraft, while the ULCAS (Ultra-Lightweight Camouflage Screen) is a static position concealment net weighing under 250 grams per square metre. Both MCS and ULCAS include radar band coverage, which the PONCHO does not provide.

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