On 16 December 2019, REDARC Defence Systems signed a contract to deliver Multi Aspect Threat Emulation Systems (MATES) to the Australian Army to support Defence’s understanding of target system requirements. This concept demonstrator agreement was to include Gaardtech, Formcut, IntelliParticle and REDARC Defence Systems.
In the wake of a series of significant natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, an opportunity to deploy the first of the systems was finally able to occur in June 2022.
Representatives from REDARC Defence Systems and Gaardtech deployed to Shoal Water Bay Training Area to support 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, live firing activities.
A set of five T72 threat emulators were deployed, spread over a significant target area, with some of the vehicles being under trees and hidden amongst camouflage making it complex for the Joint Fires Teams to observe and engage.
“It was great to finally get to deploy our systems in a live firing environment and be able to offer such a complex training scenario to the Australian Gunners," General Manager of Sales, REDARC Defence Systems, Mike Hartas said. "Our Threat Emulation System is a collaboration between four Australian SMEs, all who have invested in creating this technology. Being able to deploy it, and then witness the results of the engagements was extremely pleasing.”
MATES are full-sized, 3D replicas of military vehicles which are made by GaardTech from metal with an exterior that replicates the cosmetic and thermal appearance and shape of a military tank.
The systems also include REDARC’s Thermal Signature Enhancement Kits (RTSEK). This technology is critical for establishing realistic high fidelity thermal vehicle signatures required to practice and support Defence’s understanding of target system requirements using smart thermally guided munitions.