Stealth ground vehicle

PL-01stealth tank

TheChallenger 2incorporates stealth technology.

TheGTK Boxerof theGerman Armyincorporates visual, thermal and acoustic stealth technology.

Ground vehicles usingstealth technologyhave come to fruition at various times in history.

The SwedishStridsvagn 103was designed with a low profile to decrease chances of being detected.

TheChieftainSID (Signature Integration Demonstrator) was a first British effort in stealth tank technology.

TheChallenger 2features a redesigned hull and turret offering lowerradar cross sectionover its predecessor.More recently, the joint U.S./BritishFuture Scout Cavalry Systemconcept was experimented with and appeared in prototype form before being canceled.Other vehicles, particularlyunmanned ground vehicles,may unintentionally have an undetectably low radar signature due to their small size. Various coatings and radar absorbing layers of material are available for combat vehicles.

TheArmored Gun Systemprogram of the 1980s attempted to create a stealth vehicle.One of the competitors, theStingray light tanklater became Thailand's light tank. TheM1A2 Abramswas also originally supposed to incorporate stealth.The U.S.Future Combat Systems manned ground vehiclesfamily also incorporated a reduced cross section but was canceled in 2009.

GIATused anAMX-30to create a prototype called the Démonstrateur Furtif Chenillé (Tracked Stealthy Demonstrator). Cold air is constantly pumped between the armor and the outer non-metallic skin layer to reduce infrared signature.

Active camouflage(seeAdaptiv) is a method of concealing ground vehicles from enemy infrared sensors. This system has been used on the SwedishCV90120-T Ghostprototype,and the PolishPL-01derived from it.

Another way of reducing heat signature is replacing combustion engines with electric propulsion. SAIC and Lockheed Martin are developing the first U.S. electric tank prototype.

TheGTK Boxerfeatures a gap between primary and adaptive armor that reduces infrared signature.