Abstract: In the early stages of combat operations, the multi-colored coloring of the uniform served, along with other elements of visualization of the situation, to visually distinguish friendly troops from enemy troops, to separate troops by type and purpose, and not to ensure the secrecy of troops. The issue of camouflage of military equipment and structures, at this stage, has not yet been raised. With the increase in the range and accuracy of weapons, with the advent of automatic weapons, the field military uniform gradually lost the function of identification and acquired the function of camouflage. At first it was a monochromatic khaki coloring, which provides an imitation camouflage function, then a camouflage coloring that adds deforming properties to it. With the advent of military equipment on the battlefield, it had to be painted as well. And later, with the advent of reconnaissance and combat aviation, and other types of long-range weapons, it was necessary to ensure the secrecy of not only the objects of the battlefield, but also the objects of the rear. The article considers the history of the development of methods for increasing the secrecy of personnel through the use of protective coloring of uniforms and equipment. Other aspects of the application of methods for increasing stealth in the optical and other ranges, as well as their development in recent history, are also briefly touched upon.

Abstract: The object of the study is to ensure the security of objects during the conduct of military conflicts of varying intensity. The subject of the study is to increase security by increasing secrecy. Historical analysis shows that secrecy is provided mainly due to the coloring of military uniforms and objects. At the early stages of combat operations, the colors of uniforms served, along with other elements of visual visualization of the situation, to visually distinguish their troops from enemy troops, the separation of troops by gender and purpose, and the issue of masking combat and rear facilities was not relevant. With the increase in the range, accuracy and rate of fire of weapons, the field military uniform gradually lost the function of identification and acquired the function of disguise. At first it was a one-color "khaki" color, then a camouflage coloring. With the appearance of military equipment on the battlefield, it also had to be painted, masking turned from a poorly formalized process into one of the forms of ensuring combat operations – engineering. Subsequently, with the advent of reconnaissance and combat aircraft, and other types of long-range weapons, it was necessary to ensure the secrecy of not only the objects of the battlefield, but also the objects of the rear. Separate sections of masking – reducing the optical visibility of objects in the air and at sea. The article examines the history of the development of methods for increasing the secrecy of personnel, weapons and objects through the use of protective coloring of uniforms, equipment and military equipment. Other aspects of the application of methods of increasing stealth in optical and other ranges, their development in recent history are briefly touched upon.