CamoTEXtreme - Multifunctional textiles for camouflage resistance in extreme environmental conditions.
Given the current geopolitical climate, the CamoTEXtreme projects main aim is to realise a textile solution that will enhance camouflage resistance and that can be used comfortably in both extreme environmental conditions, and current operational environments of the military.
Avoiding signature detection has become increasingly important in modern warfare. Especially with the threat of drones and advances in thermal signature recognition. Depending on the environmental conditions where soldiers are active, the requirements to avoid signature detection change. Arid environments pose the thread of overheating, increasing the thermal signature, whereas mixed woodland terrains pose a challenge in balancing thermal regulation and might be in need of a seasonal adaptive solution. Possible outcomes within the CamoTEXtreme project include; functional coatings to actively hinder signature release, through adaptation to the current uniform systems or add-ons.
The focus of Ghent University in this project is analysing and validating the developed systems, textiles & garments (in whatever form) on a thermophysiological comfort level. Tests will be executed following established protocols, both in a lab setting as well as in the field. This will allow for the identification of key parameters that can be optimized to enhance the signature resistance without decreasing the thermophysiological comfort of the wearer.
The expected results should be mass producible and applicable in the current system and improve the overall safety of our soldiers.
The research at Ghent University, done by the Centre of Textile Science and Engineering (CTSE) and imec-mict-UGent, is an international collaboration with different partners across Europe, as the CamoTEXtreme project is funded by the European Defence Agency (EDA).
Further information
Acknowledgments
This project runs from 01/02/2026 until 31/01/2029 and is funded by EDA (European Defence Agency)
International partners:
Contact
Prof. dr. ir. Lieva Van Langenhove (Lieva.VanLangenhove@UGent.be)