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
-
![UK artillery factory opens as defence review inches forward]()
UK artillery factory opens as defence review inches forward
The new artillery and howitzer factory pre-dates the emphasis on this capability from this month’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The first joint industry-government meeting outlined in the review took place this week.
-
![Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand]()
Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand
The VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico or High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) 4×4 by Urovesa is in service with or has been ordered by eight countries, the most recent being Spain this month and Romania last month.
-
![Precision Strike Missile engine successfully tested from M270A2 launcher]()
Precision Strike Missile engine successfully tested from M270A2 launcher
Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a next-generation surface-to-surface missile with the solid rocket motor (SRM) provided by Northrop Grumman. The company is working to boost its SRM production capability.
-
![CV90 user group signs agreement to improve procurement and commonality]()
CV90 user group signs agreement to improve procurement and commonality
The CV90 is in service with or ordered by ten countries. The agreement between six of these countries is designed to create commonality to provide economies of scale and a reduced training burden.
