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Integrated Signature Management to Counter Drone Threats.

The battlespace has changed. From quadcopter reconnaissance drones to FPV strike platforms and loitering munitions, modern forces now operate under constant aerial observation. These systems are inexpensive, highly capable, and able to detect, fix and engage targets at unprecedented speed. As a result, survivability has become a multispectral challenge that traditional concealment and kinetic countermeasures alone can no longer address.

To meet this threat, armed forces are increasingly adopting integrated protection ecosystems. Two of the most effective, when deployed together, are Infrared (IR) Vehicle Defensive Aids (such as Wescom Defence’s Vehicle Launched Grenades) and ATMIS Multispectral Camouflage. When combined, they deliver a layered, adaptive, and highly agile protection system that disrupts enemy surveillance, targeting and strike capabilities across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Why a layered approach is essential

Modern aerial threats use multiple sensors to acquire and track targets. An FPV drone might rely on an Electro Optical (EO) daytime camera, while loitering munitions increasingly use IR or multispectral seekers. Reconnaissance UAVs combine visual, thermal and even laser based systems to identify high value assets.

This means that often no single countermeasure is enough. Forces require a combination of:

• Passive concealment
• Active, rapidly deployed obscurants
• Multispectral signature reduction
• Deception and disruption effects
• Mobility under protective cover

ATMIS and VLGs deliver exactly that.

ATMIS multispectral camouflage: passive, persistent signature reduction

ATMIS multispectral camouflage is designed to suppress signatures across visual, near IR, short wave IR, mid wave IR, long wave IR and radar. This reduces the chances of initial detection, identification and target classification by:

• Quadcopter and fixed wing ISR drones using thermal/IR cameras
• Loitering munitions scanning for heat signatures
• FPV drones searching for vehicle contrasts, shapes and shadows
• Laser based sensors trying to achieve range and designation

ATMIS reduces:

• Thermal contrast
• Visual outlines and recognisable geometry
• Hot spot emissions from engines or exhaust
• UV/IR reflections from metal or paint
• Radar cross section (RCS) for multifunction seekers

By reducing signature probability from the start, ATMIS lowers the likelihood that a drone will detect or classify a vehicle as a valid target.

Wescom Defence IR vehicle defensive aids: dynamic, on demand obscuration

While camouflage provides the baseline, the moment a drone acquires or begins to engage a target, active screening becomes essential.

Wescom Defence’s 76 mm & 66mm Vehicle Launched Grenades (VLGs) rapidly deploy large area IR and multispectral obscurant clouds that are optimised to disrupt:

• Thermal and IR cameras
• EO visual feeds used by FPV drone pilots
• Laser rangefinders and designators
• Targeting sensors on loitering munitions
• Drone borne fire correction systems

Within seconds, the vehicle becomes significantly harder to track, identify or strike.

Benefits of the 76/66mm IR Screening Grenades include:

• Immediate, wide area protection
• Effective against EO/IR aerial surveillance and FPV video feeds
• Screens both friendly movement and displacement
• Disrupts kill chains for artillery, mortar and drone guided fires
• Compatible with standard 76 & 66 mm launchers for rapid deployment

Active obscurants break the lock. Camouflage prevents reacquisition. Together, they create a moving survivability envelope.

How the two systems work together against key drone threats

1. Quadcopter and fixed wing ISR drones

ATMIS reduces thermal and visual signature, making vehicles blend into their surroundings.
VLGs create a dense obscurant dome that breaks ongoing surveillance or prevents laser designation.

Outcome: drones struggle to identify, track or pass targeting data to artillery or air assets.

2. FPV drones using visual/thermal feeds

FPV operators rely on a clear live feed.
ATMIS prevents easy recognition of shapes and heat sources.
VLGs instantly blind the operator, degrading depth perception and flight accuracy.

Outcome: FPV drones cannot navigate or strike reliably.

3. Loitering munitions with EO/IR seekers

These munitions search for high-contrast thermal signatures.
ATMIS suppresses thermal emissions at the passive level.
VLGs create multispectral clouds that break seeker lock or force the munition to orbit without identification.

Outcome: greatly reduced hit probability.

4. Laser guided weapons

Laser range finding and designation require a clear line of sight.
ATMIS disrupts reflections and distortions.
VLGs block the beam path completely.

Outcome: the weapon cannot maintain designation or achieve accurate guidance.

5. Drone borne targeting for artillery or mortar fire

Many drone crews act as airborne forward observers.
ATMIS limits the drone’s ability to classify targets.
VLGs prevent accurate adjustment of fire by removing visual and thermal reference points.

Outcome: enemy indirect fire becomes less accurate or ineffective.

The combined benefits: a survivability ecosystem

When multispectral camouflage and IR vehicle defensive aids are integrated, forces gain:

1. Reduced probability of detection (ATMIS)

Lower signature means fewer engagements.

2. Disrupted targeting and seeker lock (VLGs)

Screening obscurants break visual, thermal and laser tracking.

3. Protection across the full electromagnetic spectrum

Covering visual, IR, thermal and radar domains.

4. An adaptive “protection dome” of survivability on the move

Perfect for mechanised and armoured units.

5. Increased survivability during displacement

Obscuration enables repositioning while drones lose contact.

6. Lower operator workload and higher confidence

Vehicle crews retain freedom of movement even under threat.

7. A layered defence aligned with modern doctrine

Matches NATO’s shift toward signature management + active protection + mobility.

Conclusion: modern survivability requires modern integration

The drone threat is now the defining challenge of contemporary land operations. No single system can counter everything. However, when ATMIS multispectral camouflage is paired with Wescom Defence’s IR Vehicle Defensive Aids, forces gain a survivability edge that:

• Prevents detection
• Disrupts targeting
• Degrades enemy decision cycles
• Reduces the effectiveness of drone, sensor and seeker systems
• Protects both vehicles and crews

This integrated approach forms a coherent, layered defence that enables platforms to stay concealed, stay mobile and stay survivable in the most contested environments.

Contact

Frances Hunt
Head of Defence Marketing
Wescom Group
E: [email protected]