Factory X61 (Chemical Corps): Mastering the production process of camouflage smoke products

In particular, with a system of modern equipment gradually invested in and a team of highly trained and fostered staff, the Factory has gradually researched and manufactured smoke products capable of obstructing and impairing optical, infrared, and laser sensors.

Every year, in the exercises organized by the Chemical Corps, according to the scenario, white camouflage smoke is deployed to protect important targets, such as: Airports, train stations; reconnaissance and decontamination of contaminated and radioactive target areas... Hidden under the smoke screen, troops quickly maneuver, approach the target and deploy forces and vehicles smoothly and safely. The implementation process helps troops practice their bravery and skills in handling situations, while also evaluating the practical effectiveness of various types of camouflage smoke equipment and weapons. Smoke is created from ultra-fine particles suspended in the air, not only covering the space but also having the ability to absorb, block or scatter light waves, from conventional optical to infrared and laser.

X61 Factory staff prepare to test smoke camouflage.

Nowadays, the military uses many means to create smoke, such as grenades, hand-held smoke canisters, smoke barrels, artillery shells, mortars and smoke bombs using specialized chemical compounds. In addition, there are some other ways to create smoke such as dry distillation of fuel on ships, tanks...

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Van Le, Head of Technical Department, Factory X61, said: To successfully manufacture camouflage smoke products, the Factory's staff and engineers must work hard to research, test, and gradually optimize the products. The Factory focuses its technology on the research stage to determine the ratio of smoke-creating ingredients - the key step that determines the quality, safety, and coverage of the smoke. In the laboratory, the process of selecting and balancing materials is carried out using an interdisciplinary method to determine the ability to scatter and absorb, chemicalize materials... thereby determining the optimal composition ratio. In particular, for anti-infrared smoke products, the research calculation process is carried out many times by the Factory.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Vu Van Le, the production process of camouflage smoke products is carried out continuously: Receiving materials, grinding and mixing, compressing compounds, packaging, and checking product quality. The key point that determines the performance of the smoke is the uniform ratio of mixed chemical components. Each smoke-emitting product will have a different formula and mixing ratio. Each stage places high demands on workers.

In modern warfare, smoke screens are not only camouflage but also a defense against infrared sensors and thermal imaging. Therefore, scientific evaluation of the performance of smoke shells, from density, coverage area to the ability to obscure infrared signals, is a mandatory step in product quality testing. For traditional smoke products, such as: Smoke barrels, smoke shells, naval smoke barrels are tested in a separate area. For anti-infrared smoke, the testing process is conducted in a specialized laboratory with an infrared test chamber.

Here, optical sensors and wide-spectrum infrared sensors placed in the device will record signal intensity at the near-infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (MIR) and far-infrared (LWIR) bands. The data obtained is a time series representing the signal attenuation of the background source when the smoke screen is formed. All results are synchronized and displayed visually on the screen interface.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Van Le said: We conducted outdoor testing using a flycam equipped with a thermal imaging camera. When the vehicle was covered by smoke, from above, the flycam recorded the smoke's spreading pattern, the uniformity of the covering layer, and most importantly, the ability to obscure the target's hot spot. From the thermal camera display, it can be seen that before releasing the smoke, the heat source was clearly visible; after covering the smoke, the signal was reduced or blurred. This reduction level was quantified to evaluate combat effectiveness.

Talking with Lieutenant Colonel Doan Giang, Deputy Director of Factory X61, we learned that the Factory is currently continuing to research and develop products that can counter reconnaissance with modern weapons, especially infrared thermal reconnaissance. This work faces many difficulties because infrared and thermal reconnaissance are always developing and changing rapidly. In future wars (if they happen), smoke screens will certainly still play an important role in camouflage activities.

Therefore, researching and improving the operating mechanism, proactively sourcing raw materials, and enhancing the effectiveness of the combat range of camouflage smoke products are the tasks and goals of the staff and researchers of Factory X61. "The results achieved are the basis for the Factory to continue optimizing camouflage smoke products, especially smoke products with anti-infrared and laser reconnaissance capabilities, contributing to improving training capabilities, combat readiness, and meeting the requirements and combat missions of the Chemical Corps in the new situation," Senior Colonel Doan Giang emphasized.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/nha-may-x61-binh-chung-hoa-hoc-lam-chu-quy-trinh-san-xuat-san-pham-khoi-nguy-trang-997253