IIT Kanpur Launches Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System

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 specialised industries. 

The 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. The occasion was further enriched by the presence of Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur; Tarun Gupta, Dean of Research and Development, IITK and distinguished defense leaders including Air Vice Marshal Praveen Bhatt, Director of Meta Tattva Systems, Air Commodore Ajay Chaudhari and Brigadier Abhinandan Singh. 

The Anālakṣhya MSCS is the brainchild of Anantha Ramakrishna from Dept. of Physics; Kumar Vaibhav Srivastava from Dept. of Electrical Engineering; and J. Ramkumar from Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, developed with their team of talented students: Gagandeep Singh; Kajal Chowdhary and; 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. 

The Anālakṣhya MSCS is designed to revolutionise 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 per cent of the material being sourced indigenously. In a significant move towards industrial production, the technology has been licensed to Meta Tattva Systems, 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. I commend the team of professors, researchers, and students who have demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness and dedication, developing a full-fledged product with very little support and funding. This achievement is not just a product, it is a symbol of what is possible when science serves the mission of national defense."

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 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 milestone for IIT Kanpur and a significant step forward in realising India’s vision for self-reliance in defense technologies.