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Archive for the ‘Camo’ Category

Digital Concealment Systems Announcement Regarding US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

This statement was received this morning from Digital Concealment Systems

In advance of the US Army Camouflage Improvement effort down select due to take place on December 15th, we wish to inform our loyal supporters and partners that we will not be a part of the final down select. As the process moves forward we wish all of the finalists the best.

With regards to our pattern family submission, we set out to do something radically different from the accepted norm, based on our A-TACS concept, but wholly unique. The pattern submission was designed and specifically suited to meet the requirements set forth in the initial RFP. However, our patterns use more color and use it in a different way than most patterns, making them a challenge to evaluate using the pre-existing and outdated methodology for evaluation outlined in the RFP–the same methodology that produced the current UCP pattern. Often times, it is easier to take the path of least resistance than to raise the bar and develop new standards. After all, the end result is to offer the best possible concealment to our service men and women.

Now with the introduction of our new A-TACS FG Camo platform, Digital Concealment Systems will coninue to focus on it’s core mission. To provide new technology and the very best concealment options to Special Operations, Law Enforcement and Tactical Professionals worldwide. It is our firm belief that those individuals who lay their lives on the line each and every day in service, deserve nothing less.

www.A-TACS.com

Army Camouflage Improvement Effort Update

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

The letters have been sent…winners and losers, as well as an odd third category that we’ll cover, have been informed of their status and are quickly formulating plans of action.

We look forward to the Army (hopefully) making a formal announcement soon to disclose the finalists and their patterns.

We also fully expect to see a lot of new camouflage patterns hitting the market. Remember, just because a pattern wasn’t selected as a finalist doesn’t mean it isn’t viable. There were only so many spots available and the Army’s selections were based on their requirements. While we want to see the US Army choose the best family of patterns for their needs, we’ll report what we observe as the market judges the rest.

Fractals And What They Mean To You

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Why are fractals important? Because Leonardo Da Vinci realized that the components of trees are fractions of the whole. Each part of a tree is a smaller copy of what came before it. For example, as a tree grows, the new new growth is a fraction of what it grew from such as branches from a main trunk. If there are two they will each be half the size of the trunk, if there are three, each will be one-third the size. Apply this same concept to other vegetation and you begin to see how it can be applied for military use.

Because fractals are so common in nature, they have become the next big thing for camouflage. How it works is that a natural shape is combined with itself over and over to make bigger versions of the same shape. By extension, since it is a natural shape, it should fool perception. In many cases the colors will change, but not the basic geometry. You could (and people desperately have) make an argument that the recent pixelated camouflage rage is fractal based but the square isn’t exactly something you regularly run across in nature. Since the Army should be announcing the down selects for their Camouflage Improvement Effort soon, we can’t wait to see if any of the patterns are truly fractal in nature (and if the military’s fascination with patterns of squares has finally run its course).

Whiskey 5 – Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Who
Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp.

What
A world leader in CCD (Camouflage, Concealment and Deception); Over two million military uniforms now use Hyperstealth patterns. While specializing in camouflage patterns for Individual Soldiers the company has also worked on CCD solutions for Military Ground Equipment, Aircraft, UAVs (Drones), Structures, Ships and Submarines.

Guy Cramer, President/CEO developed the KA2 digital camouflage in 2003 for the Kingdom of Jordan, under the direct commission of King Abdullah II. The country of Jordan has produced over 800,000 uniforms in this pattern and painted the pattern on over 3000 of their military vehicles.

In 2004 Cramer teamed with Lt. Col. Timothy R. O’Neill, Ph.D. (U.S. Army, Ret.), considered the world expert on camouflage, to develop the USMC Overwhite (snow camouflage) and the new Afghanistan National Army uniform camouflage, through the U.S. Government (1.1 million uniforms).

Cramer/O’Neill have worked together on CCD programs for over 40 countries and with W.L. Gore (Gore-Tex) on new science based hunting patterns under the “Optifade” line. Cramer/O’Neill collaborate on most projects, excluding those presenting a conflict of interest.

In March 2010, Hyperstealth completed the CUEPAT (Canadian Urban Environment Pattern) development for the Canadian Forces: Defenece Research and Development Canada (DRDC). Two of these Hyperstealth patterns are currently being field trialed.

They have over 10,000 camouflage patterns under international copyright. Cramer is now the top camouflage pattern designer in the world.

Where
Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp. was established in 1999 in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. Hyperstealth Biotechnology Inc. was also established in 1999 and is located in Boulder, Colorado.

When
Unlike most of their competitors who began in commercial production, Hyperstealth started developing camouflage in 2003 for the military side and this still remains 95% of their core business; up to this point the company has had little reason to market their patterns to the general public or provide staged photos of their patterns in backgrounds which complement the pattern.

Using proprietary fractal algorithms (natural feedback loop patterns) Cramer was the first to successfully merge fractals into camouflage making the target harder to acquire than without the fractals. From 2003-Present Cramer has developed over 13 separate unique algorithms (fractals being only 1 of the 13) to optimize camouflage to disrupt the target shape while also blending the target into the background.

Hyperstealth has worked with all four branches of the U.S. Military and with various components of the Special Operations community. When lives depend on the effectiveness of your product, you need to give 110% to understanding what works and what doesn’t work. Hyperstealth is the only company which can set up objective testing (endorsed by the U.S. Government) of camouflage patterns and thus are aware of what works down to the millisecond and what fails to work. For reasons of security they do not share these results outside of the U.S. or Canadian governments.

Cramer corresponded on a number of programs at the request of Senator John Warner’s office, while he was chairman of the Armed Services Committee. A number of Cramer’s scenarios made it all the way to the President’s Science and Technology Adviser at The White House.

Due to the security surrounding much of what Hyperstealth does, most of it is not disclosed, or is delayed for public disclosure for many years. So while you may think you’re seeing the newest pattern from Hyperstealth at a tradeshow or on their web site, odds are, it’s already 4-5 years old.

What Else
In 2010 Hyperstealth announced “Smartcamo”; an intelligent textile which changes its color to match the background of the wearer in almost all environments. Further application of Smartcamo onto ground vehicles is expected to precede any wide scale uniform program as power and processors are one limiting factor for the individual soldier application.

In 2011 Cramer announced “Quantum Stealth” (Light Bending material) non-powered adaptive camouflage which portrays what is behind the user in-front of the user bending the light around the target. The cost is inexpensive, very lightweight and there are no power requirements. This technology was recently shown and sampled with a number of experts for the U.S. Military to verify the abilities of the material.

GHOSTEX
Hyperstealth and ADS Inc. initiated Ghostex last year, using new rapid production machinery; Hyperstealth can print any pattern to MilSpec fabric with inks that work in the NIR then send the material to ADS where they assemble 1 – 50+ uniforms in any of these new Ghostex patterns and colors with reasonable turnaround time.

Hyperstealth has been refining the system for short run production for field trial uniforms for countries military soldier upgrade programs. Current the company estimates they are printing 400 yards per month on these machines for Special Forces and country uniform programs.

For 2012 Cramer says there is a new technology he is working on which should be another leap forward in personal concealment with a material which can change colors allowing the user to dial in the closest colors by manually shifting through the camouflage color spectrum to match the background and/or time of day. More details to follow shortly.

In October 2011 HyperStealth signed a series of exclusive camouflage pattern licenses for SOPAT (Special Operations Pattern), SpecAm and CAMOPAT patterns and also the Passive Negative Ion Generator to Elba-Onyx Enterprises (an affiliate of The Onyx Group) with exclusive licenses for NATO, the European Union and non-exclusive licenses outside of these territories.

Hyperstealth also recently announced that the company has retained the services of The 132 Group as Advisers and Consultants. The 132 Group provide programmatic, equipment specific, and Business Development services to companies desiring to develop or increase their technologies or ability to provide their specific goods and services to the Government.

Bill Jarvis, the principle of The 132 Group, has accompanied Cramer on a number of briefings to different U.S. Special Forces Commands, British Military,and the Royal Navy earlier this year and is one of only a few people to see the actual SMARTCAMO (color changing) and also the Quantum Stealth (Light Bending) materials.

Just in the last few months, Hyperstealth has been featured in the “Atlantic” magazine, The Globe and Mail (Canada’s National Newspaper), Business in Vancouver, the Financial Times in London, Military Times, CNN and a live interview on the NPR (National Public Radio).

With Hyperstealth patterns being used in some upcoming large feature films, scientific documentaries and other large commercial companies upcoming pattern releases you may think you’re about to see it all, but it’s what the company can’t show you which really sets it above and beyond all others.

HyperStealth is referenced in the NATO Programme for Security through Science.

www.hyperstealth.com

Kryptek LEAF

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Kryptek is developing a good following for their unique hunting camouflage and clothing line available through Cabela’s. Earlier today, they unveiled Kryptek L.E.A.F., which is a SDVOB (Service Disabled, Veteran Owned Business) that handles all of their government/military work. What makes this so significant is the timing. We didn’t expect to start seeing any of the proposed US Army camo patterns until after the upcoming down select announcement, but Kryptek LEAF just unveiled their full lineup. Go ahead and click on the image below to blow it up to full size so you can get a better feel for the patterns.

These four patterns make a family that shares common geometry but with complimentary color palettes for different environments. There is Highlander which serves as their Transitional pattern, Mandrake which is a Woodland design, Nomad for use in the Desert, and Yeti for Snow use. Not shown on this image are Urban and Typhon which are Grey based patterns for various urban applications.

Take a look at Highlander. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen before and they’ve done a great job of producing the illusion of 3D. As you can see, it looks great on a flat file. The question with not only these patterns but all of the Army candidates is, “Can they print it?” I’d say that this photo is a good indication that they can.

Kryptek on how it works:
Kryptek utilizes a multi-directional design to effectively conceal in a multitude of terrains that have either a lateral or vertical flow. The bi-level layering of the patterns incorporate background transitional shading and sharp random geometrical foregrounds to create a three dimensional effect that ensures the utmost in concealment at both close and long ranges. These components combined with colorations selected and matched based on input from testing and observations from Operators in the field make Kryptek Camo the ultimate in passive battlefield deception.

Kryptek LEAF will be officially unveiled at SHOT Show in Source One Distributors booth #8203.

www.kryptek.com/leaf

Vertx Smock

Monday, December 5th, 2011

I’ve had a Vertx Smock prototype for well over a year. It’s served me well and I’ve worn it in a variety of environments. But, for me, there were two issues with the prototype. The first is that the pockets were closed with snaps and the fabric is 50/50 NYCO. Nothing wrong with the NYCO but when combined with the innovative design of the Vertx Smock, it just didn’t seem up to the task. A garment like this needs a softshell fabric and Vertx came through. They have combined the same fabric used on their Gunfighter Storm shirt (anti-microbial 40D face fabric treated with Scholler Nanosphere) and paired it with fleece in the hood and lower cargo pockets which are well suited to warming cold hands.

Almost every other smock I’ve seen on the market follows the traditional styling found on the original British smocks; fixed hood, big chest and hip cargo pockets along with a single FFD pocket on the sleeve. Vertx took an entirely different approach.

Their smock features a removable hood, pit zips (with a mesh liner to keep the nasties out), and pockets. Pockets unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The poacher’s pocket is divided in two and the opening is angled so you can get into it be reaching around behind. On both sides of the hips between the poacher’s pocket and the front hip pockets there are pockets for a single 5.56 magazine, kept at the ready. I am sure users will come up with a myriad of other uses for this pocket as well. The chest and hip pockets are of the patch cargo variety but feature rounded edges so that items won’t get caught in the corner of a pocket and the pleats keep the pockets nice and flat when empty but expand with ample room for your gear. The napoleon style chest pockets also feature integrated magazine pockets.

The bicep pockets aren’t exactly inset but their expansive design is very low profile with a vertical zipper closure. Both bicep pockets feature Velcro fields for ID or other insignia. Also, the elbows are reinforced.

The fit is designed to fit over armor so it’s got plenty of room for additional layers. Additionally, all of the buttons are of the slotted Canadian style so there is little to no chance they will fail. In fact, I’d say the base fabric will give way first.

Battleware caught up with the smock’s creator, Dave Walsh and shot this video of Dave talking about this “wearable go bag’s” various features.

If you’re looking for a combat oriented softshell then this is the one for you. The pocket configuration is unlike anything else you will find out there and this in turn, offers a unique look not found with other garments. Remember, it’s a softshell and priced accordingly. But it’s quality and innovation you are buying.

At this point I haven’t had any wear time with the production version. They just simply aren’t available. But…one lucky SSD reader is going to get a chance to win the very first smock. That’s right, Vertx is sponsoring a contest to give away the first smock out the door.

To enter for your chance to win, visit https://apps.facebook.com/webpromotions/vertxsmock. You’ll need to “like” both Vertx and Soldier Systems Daily. The contest ends on 16 December so go sign up! Visit here for full rules.

Look What’s Coming in A-TACS FG

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Propper has ACUs in the A-TACS FG print on the way for Spring 2012.

Additionally, Beez Combat Systems, Grey Ghost and TAG will be producing armor carriers and pouches.

It’s important to remember that with the release of the A-TACS FG Camo pattern, the original A-TACS Camo pattern is now known as A-TACS AU (Arid/Urban) Camo.

www.a-tacs.com

The Camo That Almost Was

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

While Australian forces will soon be outfitted in a new Australian MutiCam Pattern developed in conjunction with Crye Precision, at one point the Royal Australian Air Force almost took a page from the Royal Australian Navy‘s playbook to adopt a unique color variant of the Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniform.