Saab and Canadian company Tulmar Safety Systems have partnered to manufacture Barracuda Mobile Camouflage Systems (MCS) in Hawkesbury, Ontario.
Under the partnership, Saab will continue supplying advanced multispectral materials in Sweden. The capabilities will be shipped to Canada and assembled to fit a range of vehicles at Tulmar’s Ontario facility.
The first MCS products are scheduled to be received by customers later this year.
“Tulmar has a long history of manufacturing protective textiles for vehicles and for customers within the defence sector,” Tulmar Manufacturing Director Lori Morris stated.
“This deal with Saab allows us to take that expertise and apply it to a new advanced solution. We’re also excited by the exchange of knowledge that will be involved.”
Barracuda Mobile Camouflage Systems
The Barracuda MCS is used by global armed forces to manage the electromagnetic signature of vehicles, including armored personnel carriers, tanks, and trucks.
The sheets are manufactured with advanced textiles, coatings, and blends of pigments to reduce the chances of detection by adversaries.
They can be configured according to user requirements, including countering ultraviolet sensors, near and short-wave infrared, thermal infrared, and radar signatures.
Meeting Camouflage Demand
The production of Barracuda MCS solutions has traditionally been carried out at the company’s Gamleby factory in southeast Sweden.
“However, recent changes in the global political situation mean that armed forces around the world want to make sure they have the most up-to-date camouflage solutions,” Saab Barracuda Production Head Charlotta Fridell explained.
“To meet demand for Barracuda products, we are looking to expand our production base to locations such as North America. And for that we needed a partner who shares similar values in terms of quality, collaboration with customers, and working with employees.”