IIT Kanpur Launches Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System For Defense Applications

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) announced a pioneering advancement in stealth technology with the launch of the Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System (Anālakṣhya MSCS). Developed by a team of leading researchers, this innovative system sets a new benchmark in multispectral stealth capabilities, offering transformative applications in defense, national security, and specialized industries.

The unveiling event was graced by Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, AVSM, VM, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, Indian Air Force (IAF), as the Chief Guest, and Lt. Gen. Cherish Mathson, PVSM, SM, VSM, and Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, as the Guests of Honor. Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Research and Development, IITK, and distinguished defense leaders including Air Vice Marshal Praveen Bhatt, Director of Meta Tattva Systems Pvt. Ltd., Air Commodore Ajay Chaudhari, and Brigadier Abhinandan Singh were also present at the event.

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The Anālakṣhya MSCS is the brainchild of Prof. Anantha Ramakrishna from Dept. of Physics; Prof. Kumar Vaibhav Srivastava from Dept. of Electrical Engineering; and Prof. J. Ramkumar from Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, developed with their team of talented students: Mr. Gagandeep Singh, Dr. Kajal Chowdhary, and Dr. Abhinav Bhardwaj, along with other PhD scholars. This textile-based broadband Metamaterial Microwave Absorber offers near-perfect wave absorption across a broad spectrum, significantly enhancing stealth capabilities against Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging.

IIT Kanpur launches Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System, a revolutionary technology for Defense applications. This textile-based broadband Metamaterial Microwave Absorber offers near-perfect wave absorption across a broad spectrum, significantly enhancing stealth… pic.twitter.com/Vi18CVZl79

— IIT Kanpur (@IITKanpur) November 26, 2024

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, Congratulated Prof. Ramakrishna and his team for developing this remarkable material with exceptional stealth properties, which are extremely advanced and unique.

The Anālakṣhya MSCS is designed to revolutionize stealth technology for defense and security applications. By offering near-perfect wave absorption across a broad spectrum, it significantly enhances the ability to counter Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging, and will also give effective protection from missiles that use radar guidance.

Tailored for modern warfare, this cutting-edge innovation strengthens operational capabilities, providing India’s armed forces with advanced tools to maintain strategic superiority and ensure national security.

Its advanced design is tailored for operational imperatives, making it a crucial asset in modern warfare and surveillance. The technology underwent extensive laboratory and field testing between 2019 and 2024, proving its efficacy across diverse conditions.

The Anālakṣhya MSCS is a testament to India’s capability to innovate and excel in defense technology, with over 90% of the material being sourced indigenously. In a significant move towards industrial production, the technology has been licensed to Meta Tattva Systems Pvt. Ltd. which will oversee its manufacturing and deployment. The system is currently under acquisition by the Indian Armed Forces, signaling its strategic importance to national security.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, AVSM, VM, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, Indian Air Force (IAF), said “This revolutionary camouflage technology represents a bold leap forward in countering one of the greatest operational challenges militaries face today: the pervasive and precise reach of modern intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems”. He commend the team of professors, researchers, and students who have demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness and dedication.

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Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, said, “The launch of this technology is a critical milestone because the future uses of this material are already visible on battlefields in conflicts around the world. In technologically contested environments, we have seen how battlefield transparency slows down progress of operations. It is a source of pride that this technology is leading in the world. I congratulate the team behind this development and wish them all success.”

Lieutenant General Cherish Mathson, PVSM, SM, VSM, said, “When we realized in 2019 that the biggest threat to military movements is Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), it was unbeknownst to us that this ground-breaking invention had already been developed in at team at IITK. I congratulate them for their remarkable foresight. This ‘Made in India’ innovation aligns with the vision of our Honorable Prime Minister and showcases our nation’s capabilities.”

The Anālakṣhya MSCS is more than a technological marvel; it represents a collaborative triumph of academia, defense forces, and industry, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in defense and national security. This innovation is a proud milestone for IIT Kanpur and a significant step forward in realizing India’s vision for self-reliance in defense technologies.