SBIR-STTR Award

The intent of this investigation is to identify fibers made from non-strategic raw materials, preferably wood fibers, that exhibit or can be treated to exhibit the necessary charateristics to allow them to be used as an alternative to petro-chemical based fibers for camouflage netting manufacture. The solicitation contains specific requirements for environmental survivability, visual, nir, thermal ir, and radar signature characteristics, and this proposal enumerates the methods by which fti plans to accomplish the identification and evaluation of pure and composite fibers and treatments with these specifications as a goal.

The Army has expressed a need for a camouflage material that is effective against electronic, as well as visual surveillance, and that is manufactured from materials available domestically and classified as non-strategic. The final Phase I report submitted detailed the results of a study of candidate materials and manufacturing methods directed toward the goal of creating such a material. This proposal for a Phase II continuation of the development program will deal with the actual manufacturing of a prototype camouflage material in sufficient size and quantities for field and laboratory testing by the Army, with the design an modification of the machinery needed for volume production. Manufacturing details and production cost will also be established during eh process, with the intent being to deliver to the Army a totally new concept in camouflage and concealment to deal with the advanced surveillance methods in use by many potentially hostile nations.