By close of business yesterday, the Army had cancelled the Request For Information from industry for “Request for Information on Field Solutions to Soldier Camouflage: Identify in-the-field solutions/materials that will give Soldiers the ability to improve/adjust camouflage uniforms and equipment to better match the specific terrain.” It’s too bad. This could have been pretty cool.
The real War Sport "War Bungee".
-DR
In a Request for Information released last week entitled, “Request for Information on Field Solutions to Soldier Camouflage: Identify in-the-field solutions/materials that will give Soldiers the ability to improve/adjust camouflage uniforms and equipment to better match the specific terrain” the US Army has cast a net seeking “for on-the-spot/field solutions that can be applied to the baseline uniform that will provide for better visual/near-infrared blending for specific areas. These solutions will have the capability to adjust camouflage uniforms and Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) in-the-field to provide enhanced performance in specific sites of conflict.”
During the Q&A portion of the US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort industry day, PEO Soldier officials specifically ruled out such nontraditional solutions for the program which concentrates on a family of printed camouflage patterns for clothing and individual equipment. Apparently, they’ve realized that even three patterns (Temperate, Woodland and Desert) won’t even be specific enough for every environment and that there will be a requirement for even more specific patterns. Considering how long it has taken to make this camo program happen, I don’t blame them. A conflict could well be over before a development program could even begin let alone see its way to completion.
There’s another interesting aspect to this RFI. If a solution is identified, it could allow the Army to retain a single pattern and just rely on the site specific camo technology for anything that doesn’t match well.
Having said all of that I have to mention that I’m not sure what happened, but the Army I was in, way back in the 80s taught Soldiers to utilize natural materials from their local environment to further camouflage themselves. This really might be more of a ‘Training’ issue than a ‘Material’ one (DOTMLPF). I’ve noticed a lot of field craft has gone by the wayside. I don’t know if the Army has forgotten lessons learned, leaders aren’t enforcing standards or the Army is just plain tired after 10 years at war.
At any rate, if you’ve got some great ideas, then check out the RFI and let the Army know about it.
BROWE Inc now offers their 4 x 32 BCO in A-TACS FG (the Foliage/Green version). Nice whether you need it to keep from being seen or you just want to sport the finest in Gucci weapon furniture. Here’s the same optic on an LWRC in regular A-TACS.
The BROWE BCO optics have earned an excellent reputation in just a short time, for a number of reasons (including one model with a blue reticle that will seems to improve the performance of individuals with vision issues, like color blindness).
Browe Inc – www.facebook.com/BROWE.Inc or www.browe-inc.com
Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corporation has been featured in the UK edition of June’s Wired magazine.
Velocity Systems has added Desert Digital as a color option for its products. After fielding phone calls and requests for the pattern over the last couple of years, Velocity Systems ordered up an entire lot of material of 500D Cordura as well as all the trimmings. Grey Group is currently stocking product, available for purchase and shipment. The new color is not reflected on the current Velocity Systems website, but look for a new Velocity website late this spring. If you have any questions give them a call at (703) 707-6280 or contact them via email at info@velsyst.com.
Here is a Camelbak prototype in US4CES OCIE pattern spotted at Warrior West. These are not yet for sale.
This is a Spec Ops Brand T.H.E. Pack in US4CES OCIE pattern. It is not yet for sale in this camo scheme.
