The Barracuda Poncho expands Saab’s existing Barracuda family of camouflage products. The company said the system was developed to conceal soldiers from thermal sensors and, in its Arctic configuration, ultraviolet detection systems increasingly used in modern reconnaissance and targeting operations.
Saab said the poncho weighs slightly more than one kilogram, allowing it to be easily carried, deployed and adjusted in the field. The lightweight design is intended to preserve freedom of movement while enabling soldiers to operate quickly and quietly during combat missions.
The system provides both visual and thermal protection across a range of environments, including woodland terrain, stony desert areas and Arctic conditions. Saab said the reversible design offers separate day and night configurations on each side, with additional thermal protection intended for night-time operations.
According to the company, the development reflects the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicle surveillance on modern battlefields. The poncho is intended to complement existing camouflage systems by protecting soldiers when operating outside concealed vehicles or fixed positions.
Henning Robach, head of Saab’s Barracuda business unit, said, “Barracuda Poncho is our answer to the recent rise in UAV-based surveillance on the battlefield, where a mission can be compromised if the soldier even briefly leaves a camouflaged vehicle or position.”
“Building on the positive response from our Soldier System, the new Barracuda Poncho solution provides an alternative camouflage solution, focusing on wearability while retaining the exceptional multispectral protection,” Robach added.
Saab said the Barracuda Poncho is designed to support operations in increasingly sensor-rich combat environments where thermal imaging, ultraviolet detection and unmanned aerial surveillance are becoming more common. The company added that the system forms part of its broader efforts to develop advanced concealment technologies for modern armed forces.
