Military decoy laminate

Abstract

According to an example aspect, there is provided a military decoy laminate (100) comprising a plastic substrate (110) having a first side (111) and an opposite second side (112); a first reinforcing layer (121) on the first side (111) of the plastic substrate (110); a second reinforcing layer (122) on the second side (112) of the plastic substrate (110); and one or more than one functional layer (130) on the first side (111) and / or the second side (112) of the plastic substrate (110), which functional layer(s) (130) is / are configured to output a spectral response observable in an electromagnetic spectrum.

Description

MILITARY DECOY LAMINATEFIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a military decoy laminate, a method for producing the same and a military decoy comprising one or more than one military decoy laminate.BACKGROUND

[0002] Military decoys can be assembled by using decoy elements, which comprise a plurality of profiles. Each of the profiles can comprise a plurality of profile panels hingedly attached together. The profile panels can be manufactured of plastic, which is stiff, lightweight and cost-effective material.

[0003] However, the plastic profile panels are easily damaged especially at cold temperatures when the temperature goes beyond zero Celsius degrees. Furthermore, the plastic profile panels do not provide a correct spectral response when observed through military sensors. These flaws reduce the usability and authenticity of the military decoys based on the plastic profile panels.

[0004] The military decoy can be provided with hinges connecting the profile panels. The hinges can be separate hinges, which are connected to the profile panels. However, this is time-consuming and increases the number of the parts of the military decoy. Alternatively, hinges can be made by making a cut or a groove onto the surface of the plastic profile panel. However, the cut or the groove needs to be reinforced from the bending side to avoid the hinge to tom apart under mechanical stress.

[0005] An object of the present invention is this to mitigate at least some of the above- mentioned problems. An object of the present invention is thus to provide a military decoy laminate, which has an increased strength and other mechanical properties especially at cold temperatures. Another object is to provide a military decoy laminate, which allows a formation of hinges. Further object of the present invention is to provide a military decoy laminate, which can be used to produce light weight, mechanically tolerant military decoy structures with correct spectral response at all used military wavelengths.SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a military decoy laminate, comprising:- a plastic substrate having a first side and an opposite second side;- a first reinforcing layer on the first side of the plastic substrate;- a second reinforcing layer on the second side of the plastic substrate; and- one or more than one functional layer on the first side and / or the second side of the plastic substrate, which functional layer(s) is / are configured to output a spectral response observable in an electromagnetic spectrum.

[0007] Significant benefits are gained with aid of the present military decoy laminate. The first reinforcing layer and the second reinforcing layer increase mechanical strength of the plastic substrate. The reinforcing layers prevent the plastic substrate from cracking, particularly when handling the military decoy laminates at the temperatures beyond zero Celsius degrees, or when manufacturing large sized objects. The reinforcing layers also allow the fabrication of hinges to the plastic substrate by cutting cuts or grooves to the plastic substrate. Without the reinforcing layers the hinges formed by this way can be easily tom apart. Due to the reinforcing layers, there is no need for a separate reinforcing process of the hinges. The military decoy laminate allows the formation of the hinges on the both sides of the plastic substrate, because the reinforcing layers cover the both sides of the plastic substrate. The functional layer(s) enable(s) the manufacture of objects with correct spectral responses.

[0008] One or more embodiments may comprise one or more features from the following itemized list:- the first reinforcing layer is provided directly or indirectly on the first side of the plastic substrate- the second reinforcing layer is provided directly or indirectly on the second side of the plastic substrate- the first reinforcing layer is formed on the first side of the plastic substrate- one or more than one functional layer is formed on the first reinforcing layer- one or more than one functional layer is formed on the first side of the plastic substrate- the first reinforcing layer is formed on the functional layer(s) or between the functional layers- the first reinforcing layer is configured to output the spectral response observable in the electromagnetic spectrum- the second reinforcing layer is / configured to output the spectral response observable in the electromagnetic spectrum- the plastic substrate is a corrugated plastic sheet or plate having a thickness of 1 to 20 mm, for example 5 to 10 mm- the plastic substrate comprises a polymer selected from a group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyimide, polyvinylchloride, polyurethane, polycarbonate, or a layered structure or a mixture thereof- a coverage of the first reinforcing layer of the first side and / or the second reinforcing layer of the second side of the plastic substrate is 50-100 %, such as 80-100 %- the first reinforcing layer and the second reinforcing layer comprise polyolefin, such as polypropylene- the first reinforcing layer and the second reinforcing layer are woven nets or meshes, fibrous material layers or films- the first reinforcing layer and the second reinforcing layer have thicknesses of 50 pm to 1000 pm, for example 200 to 500 pm- the electromagnetic spectrum consists of a visible light, an ultraviolet radiation, an infrared radiation and / or a radio spectrum- the functional layer(s) is / are configured to output the spectral response observable in a single spectral area of the electromagnetic spectrum- the functional layer(s) is / are configured to output the spectral response observable in two or more spectral areas of the electromagnetic spectrum- the functional layer(s) are (a) electromagnetic signal layer(s), such as (a) thermal signal layer(s) and / or (a) radar signal layer(s)- the functional layer(s) is / are (a) electromagnetic signal layer(s) configured to output the spectral response observable in the electromagnetic spectrum by an electromagnetic sensor- the electromagnetic sensor is a spectrometer, such as an infrared camera, a telescope or a night-vision device, a lidar, a radar or a hyperspectral camera- the functional layer(s) is / are (a) radar signal layer(s) configured to output a radar response signal, which is observable in a radio frequency spectrum, upon exposure to an external radar stimulus or excitation- the functional layer(s) is / are in a form of a film, a painted layer, a coating, printed layer or a thin-film layer- the functional layer(s) comprise(s) metal, carbon, dielectric material or doped semiconductor in a form of particles, fibres or sheets- the radar signal layer(s) comprise(s) a metallic material having a radar reflectance or absorbtion different to, particularly greater than, that of the plastic substrate- the military decoy laminate further comprises an adhesive, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a wet glue, a hot melt or a double-side tape material between the layers of the military decoy laminate, and / or between the said layers and the plastic substrate- the military decoy laminate further comprises an adhesive, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a wet glue, a hot melt or a double-side tape material between the plastic substrate and the reinforcing layers, the plastic substrate and the functional layer(s), and / or the first reinforcing layer or the second reinforcing layer and the functional layer(s)- the military decoy laminate further comprises one or more than one cut or groove extending through the first reinforcing layer to the plastic substrate- the military decoy laminate further comprises one or more than one cut or groove extending through the second reinforcing layer to the plastic substrate

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a military decoy laminate producing method, comprising:- providing a plastic substrate having a first side and an opposite second side;- providing a first reinforcing layer and a second reinforcing layer;- attaching the first reinforcing layer onto the first side of the plastic substrate and the second reinforcing layer onto the second side of the plastic substrate; and- providing one or more than one functional layer onto the first side of the plastic substrate and / or the second side of the plastic substrate, which functional layer(s) is / are configured to output a spectral response observable in an electromagnetic spectrum.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a military decoy comprising one or more than one military decoy laminate.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIGURE 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a military decoy laminate having a first reinforcing layer and a second reinforcing layer on the plastic substrate in accordance with at least some embodiments; and

[0012] FIGURE 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a military decoy laminate having a first reinforcing layer and a second reinforcing layers as outermost layers of the laminate in accordance with at least some embodiments.EMBODIMENTS

[0013] In the present context, the term “military decoy laminate” refers to a multilayer laminate comprising two or more than two layers, which laminate can be used in military purposes, for example, for building military decoy platforms.

[0014] In the present context, the term “substrate” refers to a substantially flat and thin plate-like object, which has two opposite sides, namely a first side and a second side.

[0015] In the present context, the term “spectral response” refers to detecting by a military sensor a range or ranges of wavelengths reflected, emitted or absorbed of an object. By “military sensor”, it is meant an electromagnetic sensor, for example, an infrared camera, a telescope, a night-vision device, a radar, a lidar (LiDAR, Light Detection and Ranging) or a hyperspectral camera.

[0016] According to an embodiment, there is provided a military decoy laminate 100 comprising:- a plastic substrate 110 having a first side 111 and an opposite second side 112;- a first reinforcing layer 121 on the first side 111 of the substrate 110;- a second reinforcing layer 122 on the second side 112 of the substrate 110; and- one or more than one functional layer 130 on the first side 111 and / or the second side 112 of the substrate 110, which functional layer(s) 130 is / are configured to output a spectral response observable in an electromagnetic spectrum.

[0017] The military decoy laminate provides considerable advantages. The first reinforcing layer 121 and the second reinforcing layer 122 increase mechanical strength of the plastic substrate 110. The said layers 121, 122 prevent the plastic substrate from cracking, particularly when handling the military decoy laminates at the temperatures beyond zero Celsius degrees, or when manufacturing large sized objects. The reinforcing layers 121, 122 also allow the fabrication of hinges to the plastic substrate 110 by cutting cuts or grooves to the plastic substrate 110. Without the reinforcing layers 121, 122 the hinges formed by this way can be easily tom apart. Due to the reinforcing layers 121, 122, there is no need for a separate reinforcing process of the hinges. The military decoy laminate allows the formation of the hinges on the both sides of the plastic substrate, because the reinforcing layers 121, 122 cover the both sides of the plastic substrate 110. The functional layer(s) 130 enable(s) the manufacture of objects with correct spectral responses.

[0018] The first reinforcing layer 121 can be provided directly or indirectly on the first side 111 of the plastic substrate 110, and the second reinforcing layer 122 can be provided directly or indirectly on the second side 112 of the plastic substrate 110. By “directly”, it is meant that there are no other layers, namely reinforcing layers or functional layers, between the first reinforcing layer 121 and the plastic substrate 110 or the second reinforcing layer 122 and the plastic substrate 110. However, there can be adhesive between the said layers 121, 122 and the plastic substrate 110. By “indirectly”, it is meant that there are other layers, namely reinforcing layers or functional layers, between the first reinforcing layer 121 and the plastic substrate 110 or the second reinforcing layer 122 and the plastic substrate 110.

[0019] The military decoy laminate 100 can comprise:- the first reinforcing layer 121 formed on the first side 111 of the plastic substrate 110; and- one or more than one functional layer 130 formed on the first reinforcing layer 121.

[0020] FIGURE 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a military decoy laminate 100 having a first reinforcing layer 121 and a second reinforcing layer 121 on the plastic substrate 110. The first reinforcing layer 121 is formed on the first side 111 of the plastic substrate 110 and the second reinforcing layer 122 is formed on the second side 112 of the plastic substrate 110. A functional layer 130 is formed on the first reinforcing layer 121. Thus, the functional layer 130 is the uppermost layer on the first side 111 of the plastic substrate. This is preferred when the functional layer is an ultraviolet (UV) layer, a visualspectrum (VIS), a near infrared layer (NIR) layer or a short wavelength infrared layer (SWIR). The reinforcing layers 121, 122 covers the whole area of the first side 111 and the second side 112 of the plastic substrate 110. However, a coverage of the reinforcing layers 121, 122 can be less than 100 %. The reinforcing layers 121, 122 formed on the both sides of the plastic substrate 110 increase its mechanical strength and allows the formation of the hinges in the form of cuts or grooves, which can extend through the functional layer 130 and the first reinforcing layer 121 to the plastic substrate 110 and / or the second reinforcing layer 122 to the plastic substrate 110.

[0021] As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the military decoy laminate 100 can comprise one functional layer 130. However, a number of the functional layers 130 can be two or more than two. The military decoy laminate 100 can comprise further functional layers between the plastic substrate 110 and the first reinforcing layer 121, between the first reinforcing layer 121 and the functional layer 130, and / or on the functional layer 130. Alternatively, or in addition, the military decoy laminate 110 can comprise further functional layers on the second functional layer 122 or between the plastic substrate 110 and the second functional layer 122.

[0022] The military decoy laminate 100 can comprise:- one or more than one functional layer 130 formed on the first side 111 of the plastic substrate 110; and- the first reinforcing layer 121 formed on the functional layer(s) 130 or between the functional layers 130.

[0023] FIGURE 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a military decoy laminate 100 having a first reinforcing layer 121 and a second reinforcing layer 122 as the outermost layers of the laminate. The functional layer 130 is formed on the first side 111 of the plastic substrate 110 and the second reinforcing layer 122 is formed on the second side 112 of the plastic substrate 110. A first reinforcing layer 121 is formed on the functional layer 130. The functional layer 130 can be formed under the reinforcing layer 121, 122 when the functional layer 130 is a thermal infrared radiation (TIR) layer or a radio spectrum layer. The reinforcing layers 121, 122 covers the whole area of the first side 111 and the second side 112 of the plastic substrate 110. However, a coverage of the reinforcing layers 121, 122 can be less than 100 %. The reinforcing layers 121, 122 formed on the both sides of the plastic substrate 110 increase its mechanical strength and allows the formation of the hingesin the form of cuts or grooves, which can extend through the functional layer 130 and the first reinforcing layer 121 to the plastic substrate 110 and / or the second reinforcing layer 122 to the plastic substrate 110.

[0024] As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the military decoy laminate 100 can comprise one functional layer 130. However, a number of the functional layers 130 can be two or more than two. The military decoy laminate 100 can comprise further functional layers between the plastic substrate 110 and the functional layer 130, between the functional layer 130 and the first reinforcing layer 121, and / or on the first reinforcing layer 121. Alternatively, or in addition, the military decoy laminate 110 can comprise further functional layers on the second functional layer 122, or between the plastic substrate 110 and the second functional layer 122.

[0025] The first reinforcing layer 121 and / or the second reinforcing layer 122 can be configured to output the spectral response observable in the electromagnetic spectrum. For example, the first reinforcing layer 121 and / or the second reinforcing layer 122 can be manufactured of a material, which is able to output the said spectral response. Alternatively, the reinforcing layer 121, 122 can be a laminate itself containing piled up layers providing the correct spectral responses.

[0026] The plastic substrate 110 can be a corrugated plastic sheet or plate having a thickness of 1 to 20 mm, for example 5 to 10 mm. Thus, the plastic substrate 110 is relatively rigid, but not too heavy to handle in commonly used sizes.

[0027] The plastic substrate 110 can comprise a polymer selected from a group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyimide (PI), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), polycarbonate (PC), or a layered structure or a mixture thereof. By “layered structure”, it is meant a structure or a laminate comprising a plurality of layers comprising polymers selected from the said group. For example, the plastic substrate 110 may comprise a first polymer selected from the said group between films or layers of a second polymer selected from the said group.

[0028] It is advantageous to maximize a coverage of the first reinforcing layer 121 and the second reinforcing layer 122 to maximize the reinforcing effect of the said layers. For that purpose, a coverage of the first reinforcing layer 121 of the first side 111 and / or thesecond reinforcing layer 122 of the second side 112 of the plastic substrate 110 can be 50- 100 %, such as 80-100%. For example, the first reinforcing layer 121 can cover the whole area of the first side 111 and the second reinforcing layer can cover the whole area of the second side 112. Then, the hinges can be freely processed on the preferred place.

[0029] The first reinforcing layer 121 and the second reinforcing layer 122 can comprise polyolefin, such as polypropylene.

[0030] The first reinforcing layer 121 and the second reinforcing layer 122 can comprise a material, which is able to output a spectral response observable in an electromagnetic spectrum.

[0031] The first reinforcing layer 121 and the second reinforcing layer 122 can be woven nets or meshes, fibrous material layers or films. Preferably, the said layers 121, 122 are woven nets or meshes, which enables easy machining and manufacturing of the military decoy laminate.

[0032] The first reinforcing layer 121 and the second reinforcing layer 122 can have thicknesses of 50 pm to 1000 pm, for example 200 to 500 pm. This provides an improvement in the mechanical properties of the plastic substrate without increasing the weight of the plastic substrate too much.

[0033] The electromagnetic spectrum can consist of a visible light (VIS) spectrum, an ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, an infrared (IR) spectrum and / or a radio spectrum. By “visible light spectrum”, it is meant the band of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye, i.e. 400 nm to 750 nm. By “UV spectrum”, it is meant is electromagnetic spectrum of wavelengths of 10-400 nm. In the present context, “infrared spectrum” includes wavelengths from around 750 nm (400 THz) to 1 mm (300 GHz). The IR spectrum comprises for example, near-infrared radiation (NIR), short wave infrared radiation (SWIR) and thermal infrared radiation (TIR).

[0034] The functional layer(s) can emit infrared radiation across a spectrum of wavelengths, but sometimes only a limited region of the spectrum is of interest because sensors usually collect radiation only within a specific bandwidth. In the UV to SWIR wavelength band, sensors can detect an object by reflected sunshine, moonlight, starlight or sky-shine.

[0035] The functional layer(s) 130 can be configured to output the spectral response observable in:- a single spectral area of the electromagnetic spectrum, or- two or more spectral areas of the electromagnetic spectrum.Thus, the functional layer(s) 130 can be separate or they can combine several spectral areas. By “spectral area”, it is meant a part of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example, a visible light (VIS) spectrum, an ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, an infrared (IR) spectrum and a radio spectrum. When the functional layer(s) 130 is / are configured to output the spectral response observable in a single spectral area of the electromagnetic spectrum, the military decoy laminate may comprise a plurality of layers to output the spectral response observable in all preferred spectral areas. When the functional layer(s) 130 is / are configured to output the spectral response observable in two or more spectral areas of the electromagnetic spectrum, the functional layer(s) 130 may comprise a plurality of portions to output the spectral response observable in all preferred spectral areas. The functional layer(s) 130 may be (a) multi-layer functional layer(s) 130 having a plurality of physical layers connected together to form a single functional layer 130.

[0036] It may be advantageous to maximize a coverage of the functional layer(s) 130 with the material making up the said layer to maximize spectral response. For that purpose, the coverage of the functional layer can be 50-100 %, such as 80-100%.

[0037] The functional layer(s) 130 can be in a form of a film, a painted layer, a coating or a thin-film layer. When the functional layer 130 is formed between the plastic substate 110 and the reinforcing layer 121, 122, the functional layer 130 can be in the form of a film. When the functional layer 130 is the outermost layer of the military decoy laminate 100, the functional layer can be in the form of the painted layer or the coating.

[0038] The functional layer(s) 130 can comprise metal, carbon, dielectric material or doped semiconductor in a form of particles, fibres or sheets. The metal can be for example, aluminum or copper. The dielectric material can be for example, paint containing particles, binders and additives, or a foam. Carbon can be carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes (CNT), carbon flakes or graphene. The particles and the fibres enable easy incorporation of a functional material to the functional layer by painting or coating. The sheets can for a film layer of the laminate.

[0039] The functional layer(s) 130 can be (a) electromagnetic signal layer(s), such as (a) thermal signal layer(s) and / or (a) radar signal layer(s).

[0040] By “electromagnetic signal layer”, it is meant a physical layer configured to output the spectral response observable in the electromagnetic spectrum by an electromagnetic sensor. Thus, the spectral response can be observed through commonly used military sensors.

[0041] By ‘ ‘thermal signal layer”, it is meant a physical layer that has the capability of outputting a thermal signal, which is observable in the IR spectrum. The thermal signal layer can include electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material can be arranged to form an array of independently controlled thermal elements for outputting a thermal signal, which is observable in the infra-red spectrum, upon exposure to a control voltage.

[0042] By “radar signal layer”, it is meant a physical layer configured to output a radar response signal, which is observable in a radio frequency spectrum, upon exposure to an external radar stimulus or excitation. The radar signal layer can be configured to reflect, absorb or attenuate incoming electromagnetic waves. Thus, the radar signal layer(s) can be observed through commonly used military sensors when the said layers are exposed to an incident radar wave. When the radar signal layer is configured to absorb or attenuate incoming electromagnetic waves, the radar signal layer provides a reduced signature for detection.

[0043] The radar signal layer(s) can be provided on the same or opposite side of the plastic substrate 110 than the thermal signal layer(s). For example, the thermal signal layer(s) can be formed on the first side 111 of the plastic substrate 110 and the radar signal layer(s) can be formed on the second side 112 of the plastic substrate 110.

[0044] The radar signal layer(s) can comprise one or several sections that provide(s) (a) weaker radar response(s) and one or several section(s) that provide(s) (a) stronger radar responses, to mimic objects with comparable properties.

[0045] The radar signal layer(s) can comprise a metallic material having a radar reflectance or a radar absorbtion different to, particularly greater than, that of the plastic substrate 110. By “radar absorbtion”, it is meant an ability of the metallic material to absorb and attenuating incoming electromagnetic waves, i.e. the ability of absorb radar waves andminimize or eliminate refection. Because the radar waves are not returned, the said metallic material provide a reduced signature for detection.

[0046] The radar signal layer(s) can be made of a metallic material that has enough thickness to produce a radar response. The radar signal layer can have a suitable thickness in the range of 1 to 100 pm, particularly 5 to 50 pm, more particularly 10 to 20 pm, especially 15 pm. With a thick enough layer, the radar signal layer is set to provide for sufficient penetration depth (skin depth) for incident radar waves.

[0047] The military decoy laminate 100 can further comprise an adhesive, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a wet glue, a hot melt or a double-side tape material between the layers 121, 122, 130 of the military decoy laminate 100, and / or between the said layers 121, 122, 130 and the plastic substrate 110. The military decoy laminate 100 can further comprise an adhesive, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a wet glue, a hot melt or a double-side tape material, between the plastic substrate 110 and the reinforcing layers 121, 122, the plastic substrate 110 and the functional layer(s) 130, and / or the first reinforcing layer 121 or the second reinforcing layer 121 and the functional layer(s) 130. The adhesive enables connecting the substrate 110 and the layers 121, 122, 130 of the military decoy laminate 100 together.

[0048] Preferably, the adhesive has a temperature resistance between -30 and +30 °C, preferably between -40 and +80 °C. Therefore, the adhesive does not lose its gluing properties between the said temperatures. The temperature resistance can be measured by glass transition temperature testing or by peel adhesion testing according to ASTM D3330 or ASTM DI 876.

[0049] The military decoy laminate 110 can further comprise one or more than one cut or groove extending through the first reinforcing layer 121 to the plastic substrate 110 and / or through the second reinforcing layer 122 to the plastic substrate 110. Providing the reinforcing layers 121, 122 onto the both sides of the plastic substrate allow the fabrication of the hinges in the form of the cuts or grooves at the both sides of the plastic substrate 110. For example, the cuts or grooves can extend to the half-depth of the plastic substrate 110.

[0050] According to an embodiment, there is provided a military decoy laminate producing method, comprising:- providing a plastic substrate 110 having a first side 111 and an opposite second side 112;- providing a first reinforcing layer 121 and a second reinforcing layer 122;- attaching the first reinforcing layer 121 onto the first side of the plastic substrate 110 and the second reinforcing layer 122 onto the second side of the plastic substrate 110; and- providing one or more than one functional layer 130 onto the first side 111 of the plastic substrate 110 and / or the second side 112 of the plastic substrate 110, which functional layer(s) 130 is / are configured to output a spectral response observable in an electromagnetic spectrum.The method provides considerable advantages. Attaching the first reinforcing layer 121 and the second reinforcing layer 121 to the plastic substrate 110 increases mechanical strength of the plastic substrate 110. The said layers prevent the plastic substrate 110 from cracking, particularly when handling the military decoy laminates at the temperatures beyond zero Celsius degrees, or when manufacturing large sized objects. The method also facilitates the formation of hinges, because the reinforcing layers 121, 122 allow the fabrication of hinges into the plastic substrate 110 by cutting cuts or grooves to the plastic substrate 110. Without the reinforcing layers 121, 122 the hinges formed by this way can be easily tom apart. Due to the reinforcing layers 121, 122, there is no need for a separate reinforcing process of the hinges. The military decoy laminate 100 allows the formation of the hinges on the both sides of the plastic substrate 110, because the reinforcing layers 121, 122 cover the both sides of the plastic substrate 110. The functional layer(s) 130 enable(s) the manufacture of objects with correct spectral responses.

[0051] The first reinforcing layer 121, the second reinforcing layer 122 and / or the functional layer(s) 130 can be attached by an adhesive, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a wet glue, a hot melt or a double-side tape material. The adhesive can be used especially when the said layers 121, 122, 130 are in the form of a film.

[0052] Preferably, the adhesive has a temperature resistance between -30 and +30 °C, preferably between -40 and +80 °C. Therefore, the adhesive does not lose its gluing properties between the said temperatures. The temperature resistance can be measured by glass transition temperature testing or by peel adhesion testing according to ASTM D3330 or ASTM DI 876.

[0053] The functional layer(s) 130 can be applied onto the plastic substrate 110 and / or the first reinforcing layer 121 by painting, coating, printing, laminating or a thin-film deposition technique. The applying the functional layer(s) may be made on an atomic level through atomic layer deposition (ALD) or on a coarser lever, e.g. printing an ink containing material particles or by laminating the foil. Further alternatives include sputtering, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), pulsed laser deposition (PLD), and several other techniques aimed at producing very thin membranes for example, foil transfer technique. Relatively thick layers may be produced by painting with brush or spray application, for example. Suitable printing methods include offset, flexo, gravure, screen printing, rotary screen printing, ink jet-printing, dispensing. The functional layer(s) 130 may be provided onto the plastic substrate 110 by using various coating methods, such as slot-die coating, blade-coating, reverse offset coating, extrusion and lamination.

[0054] The method can further comprise providing one or more than one cut or groove extending through the first reinforcing layer 121 to the plastic substrate 110 and / or through the second reinforcing layer 122 to the plastic substrate 110.

[0055] According to an embodiment, there is provided a military decoy comprising one or more than one military decoy laminate.

[0056] For example, the first side 111 of the plastic substrate 110 may be configured to form at least partially an outer side of the military decoy and the second side 112 of the plastic substrate 110 may be configured to form at least partially an inner side of the military decoy. By “outer side”, it is meant a face of the military decoy laminate, which substantially visible to the outside and may form an outer surface of the military decoy. By “an inner side”, it is meant a face of the military decoy laminate, which is not substantially visible to the outside, but forms substantially an inner surface of the military decoy.

[0057] The military decoy can be a foldable decoy structure that resemble a military platform, such as such as s tank, a tracked and wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, a self- propelled artillery, a missile launcher, an air-planes, a command-and-control position or a building.

[0058] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in therelevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0059] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention.

[0060] The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", i.e. a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.REFERENCE SIGNS LIST100 military decoy laminate110 plastic substrate111 first side112 second side121 first reinforcing layer122 second reinforcing layer130 functional layer

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A military decoy laminate (100) comprising:- a plastic substrate (110) having a first side (111) and an opposite second side (112);- a first reinforcing layer (121) on the first side (111) of the plastic substrate (110);- a second reinforcing layer (122) on the second side (112) of the plastic substrate (110); and- one or more than one functional layer (130) on the first side (111) and / or the second side (112) of the plastic substrate (110), which functional layer(s) (130) is / are configured to output a spectral response observable in an electromagnetic spectrum.

2. The military decoy laminate (100) of claim 1, comprising:- the first reinforcing layer (121) formed on the first side (111) of the plastic substrate (110); and- one or more than one functional layer (130) formed on the first reinforcing layer (121).

3. The military decoy laminate (100) of claim 1, comprising:- one or more than one functional layer (130) formed on the first side (111) of the plastic substrate (110); and- the first reinforcing layer (121) formed on the functional layer(s) (130) or between the functional layers (130).

4. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reinforcing layer (121) and / or the second reinforcing layer (122) is / are configured to output the spectral response observable in the electromagnetic spectrum.

5. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic substrate (110) is a corrugated plastic sheet or plate having a thickness of 1 to 20 mm, for example 5 to 10 mm.

6. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic substrate (110) comprises a polymer selected from a group consisting of polypropylene,polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyimide, polyvinylchloride, polyurethane, polycarbonate, or a layered structure or a mixture thereof.

7. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a coverage of the first reinforcing layer (121) of the first side (111) and / or the second reinforcing layer (122) of the second side (112) of the plastic substrate (110) is 50-100 %, such as 80-100 %.

8. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reinforcing layer (121) and the second reinforcing layer (122) comprise polyolefin, such as polypropylene.

9. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reinforcing layer (121) and the second reinforcing layer (122) are woven nets or meshes, fibrous material layers or films.

10. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reinforcing layer (121) and the second reinforcing layer (122) have thicknesses of 50 pm to 1000 pm, for example 200 to 500 pm.

11. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electromagnetic spectrum consists of a visible light, an ultraviolet radiation, an infrared radiation and / or a radio spectrum.

12. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional layer(s) (130) is / are configured to output the spectral response observable in:- a single spectral area of the electromagnetic spectrum, or- two or more spectral areas of the electromagnetic spectrum.

13. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional layer(s) (130) are (a) electromagnetic signal layer(s), such as (a) thermal signal layer(s) and / or (a) radar signal layer(s).

14. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional layer(s) (130) is / are (a) electromagnetic signal layer(s) configured to output the spectral response observable in the electromagnetic spectrum by an electromagnetic sensor.

15. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electromagnetic sensor is a spectrometer, such as an infrared camera, a telescope or a nightvision device, a lidar, a radar or a hyperspectral camera.

16. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional layer(s) (130) is / are (a) radar signal layer(s) configured to output a radar response signal, which is observable in a radio frequency spectrum, upon exposure to an external radar stimulus or excitation.

17. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional layer(s) (130) is / are in a form of a film, a painted layer, a coating, printed layer or a thin-film layer.

18. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional layer(s) comprise(s) metal, carbon, dielectric material or doped semiconductor in a form of particles, fibres or sheets.

19. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radar signal layer(s) comprise(s) a metallic material having a radar reflectance or absorbtion different to, particularly greater than, that of the plastic substrate (110).

20. The military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an adhesive, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a wet glue, a hot melt or a doubleside tape material, between the layers (121, 122, 130) of the military decoy laminate (100), and / or between the said layers (121, 122, 130) and the plastic substrate (110).

21. The military decoy laminate (100) of claim 20, wherein the adhesive has a temperature resistance between -30 and +30 °C, preferably between -40 and +80 °C.

22. The military decoy laminate (110) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more than one cut or groove extending through the first reinforcing layer (121) to the plastic substrate (110) and / or through the second reinforcing layer (122) to the plastic substrate (110).

23. A military decoy laminate producing method comprising:- providing a plastic substrate (110) having a first side (111) and an opposite second side (112);- providing a first reinforcing layer (121) and a second reinforcing layer (122);- attaching the first reinforcing layer (121) onto the first side of the plastic substrate (110) and the second reinforcing layer (122) onto the second side of the plastic substrate (110); and- providing one or more than one functional layer (130) onto the first side (111) of the plastic substrate (110) and / or the second side (112) of the plastic substrate (110), which functional layer(s) (130) is / are configured to output a spectral response observable in an electromagnetic spectrum.

24. The military laminate producing method of claim 23, wherein the first reinforcing layer (121), the second reinforcing layer (122) and / or the functional layer(s) (130) are attached by an adhesive, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a wet glue, a hot melt or a doubleside tape material.

25. The military laminate producing method of any one of the preceding claims 23 to 24, wherein the functional layer(s) (130) is / are applied onto the plastic substrate (110) and / or the first reinforcing layer (121) by painting, coating, printing, laminating or a thin-film deposition technique.

26. The military laminate producing method of any one of the preceding claims 23 to 25, further comprising providing one or more than one cut or groove extending through the first reinforcing layer (121) to the plastic substrate (110) and / or through the second reinforcing layer (122) to the plastic substrate (110).

27. A military decoy comprising one or more than one military decoy laminate (100) of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 22.

28. The military decoy of claim 27, wherein the military decoy is a foldable decoy structure that resemble a military platform, such as such as s tank, a tracked and wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, a self-propelled artillery, a missile launcher, an air-planes, a command-and- control position or a building.

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