- The Anālakṣhya MSCS’s versatility across several platforms and multispectral stealth capabilities are what sets it apart.
- By lowering naval ships’ radar and thermal visibility, this device guarantees operational superiority in vital maritime areas like the Indian Ocean.
- Its simultaneous evasion of radar, thermal, and infrared detection provides it with major tactical and strategic benefits in both high-tech combat scenarios and low-intensity confrontations.
The Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System (MSCS) from IIT Kanpur is a game-changing stealth technology advancement for defence uses. This future-proof technique drastically reduces the Radar Cross-Section (RCS) of military assets by manipulating electromagnetic waves using sophisticated metamaterials. Consequently, these resources can evade the detection of sophisticated surveillance tools, such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Radar, infrared, and thermal detection systems cannot identify the MSCS because of its multispectral stealth capability. This kind of innovation improves operational security in the air, sea, and land domains. Additionally, the MSCS meets India’s defence technology self-reliance ambitions because 90% of the material is sourced domestically. The system is now being made interoperable with several military platforms such as automobiles, unmanned aerial aircraft, military ships, and delicate equipment.
The MSCS has distinct advantages over its international counterparts. An example of a U.S. military innovation in stealth bombers is the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, which employs an aerodynamic flying wing design and radar-absorbent materials (RAM) to avoid radar detection. However, this MSCS offers comprehensive protection against both thermal and infrared threats. The Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon and the Russian Sukhoi Su-57 also prioritize stealth-optimized designs and radar and infrared stealth with RAM coatings. However, in contrast to the versatile and platform-independent MSCS, these systems are platform-dependent and primarily designed for air-to-air missions.
The UK-based company Adaptive Technology specializes in thermal cloaking for armoured cars, thereby lowering their heat signatures. However, its operating area is limited since it ignores radar and SAR invisibility. Although it lacks the multispectral coverage of the MSCS, Canada’s Hyperstealth Quantum Stealth Cloak is another notable invention that bends light and electromagnetic waves for visual and radar invisibility.
The MSCS’s versatility across several platforms and multispectral stealth capabilities are what set it apart. Because it will reduce dependency on imports, its domestic production contributes to India’s strategic significance. Avoiding SAR detection is crucial in regions like the Indian Ocean and the Himalayas because enemies frequently employ advanced monitoring.
By offering the Indian Army a vast array of applications, the MSCS improves its operational efficacy. For armoured formations and ground vehicles, it lowers radar and enhances survivability in high-surveillance regions such as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Line of Control (LoC) by detecting infrared signals. In sensitive areas, particularly those with enhanced SAR detection, clandestine intelligence collection is made possible by border surveillance and reconnaissance using vehicle and equipment camouflage.
To lessen visibility to enemy night vision and thermal sensors, cloaking materials can be included in the soldier’s kit and field shelters for infantry and personal equipment. The MSCS reduces radar cross-section in drone and UAV operations, increasing the assets’ effectiveness for surgical attack missions and covert monitoring, particularly in marine areas like the Indian Ocean. Additionally, the technique is useful for high-altitude and strategic operations, such as at Siachen, where cloaked artillery systems and defensive capabilities are increased by temporary bases and batteries.
Despite being designed specifically for the army, the MSCS is easily adaptable to naval operations. By lowering naval ships’ radar and thermal visibility, this device guarantees operational superiority in vital maritime areas like the Indian Ocean. All things considered, the MSCS equips the Indian Army with cutting-edge stealth capabilities to offer potent defences against enemies with highly developed technological capabilities. Its adaptability in a range of environments, from cold mountains to deserts, guarantees flexibility in a variety of operational situations. It supports India’s defence self-reliance objectives by lowering reliance on foreign technology and offering an affordable answer to the problems of contemporary conflict.
Its simultaneous evasion of radar, thermal, and infrared detection provides it with major tactical and strategic benefits in both high-tech combat scenarios and low-intensity confrontations.
Piyush Anand is a Biotechnology Engineering student at Chandigarh University. His primary interest lies in International Affairs, Defence and Strategy. Views expressed at the author’s own.
Pranav S & Vadiraja B 
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