Adaptiv is an active camouflage technology developed by BAE Systems AB to protect military vehicles from detection by near infrared night vision devices, providing infrared stealth. It consists of an array of hexagonal Peltier plates which can be rapidly heated and cooled to form any desired image, such as of the natural background or of a non-target object. They are robust, contributing to the armour of the vehicle that carries them. The system allows its operator to “grab” a thermal image from a vehicle or other object for display. Adaptiv was developed by BAE Systems AB’s survivability programme at Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, initially for Combat Vehicle 90 infantry fighting vehicles. The company has developed a lighter version which has been tested on helicopters.
