Still no down select announcement for the Camouflage Improvement Effort from the Army and they won’t answer, let alone acknowledge, our emails.
Perhaps it will be tomorrow.
Archive for the ‘Camo’ Category
The 15th Came and Went
Friday, December 16th, 2011PenCott-Snowdrift Camo Enters Production
Thursday, December 15th, 2011We’d say that this is a great rebuttal to the Army’s Camouflage Improvement Program. Hyde Definition goes right on about their business.
You know that good personal concealment is not a fashion statement or a popularity contest. Its about reducing your risk of being detected. And that can mean the difference between mission success or mission failure. This is why PenCott is being adopted by a growing number of military and law enforcement special operations units.
However, when it comes to snow camouflage most military patterns seem to have been developed with the line from the Christmas Carol about King Wenceslas in mind: “when the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even”. In most terrain, however, the snow cover is often uneven and features shadows and textures from undulating or broken ground and from rocks and dry vegetation breaking up the blanket of white.
PenCott-Snowdriftâ„¢ breaks that mold and was specifically designed to provide superior camouflage in a wider range of snow-covered terrain. Snowdriftâ„¢ is a 3-colour variant of PenCottâ„¢, and like all members of the PenCottâ„¢ family it features:
* a naturalistic, omni-directional, multi-scalar fractal geometry pattern
* a unique 3-in-1 pattern design for superior blending and disruption performance
* color palettes optimized for a variety of terrains and environments
* high-difference boundaries and hypoacuitive color dithering create false edges and the illusion of 3D
PenCott-Snowdriftâ„¢ is now going in to production and will be available from early 2012 printed on lightweight, water- and frost-resistant, packable polyester fabric (the same type used by the USMC in fact). The entire PenCott line-up will also be featured on the SOD Gear / TangoDown booth at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas January 17-20, 2012.
PenCott is the first commercially-developed advanced camouflage pattern to be available in multiple colorways on a range of Berry-compliant, mil-spec fabrics and finishes – all available now.
For further information, contact Hyde Definition via email, visit our website www.hydedefinition.com or find us on Facebook.
Roggenwolf Statement on US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort
Thursday, December 15th, 2011The statement was released yesterday by Australia’s Roggenwolf.
You might recall that Roggenwolf Tiwazâ„¢ was developed specifically as a possible answer the U.S. Army’s identified need for a family of camouflage patterns. Unfortunately, we have been advised that Tiwazâ„¢ has been eliminated from the final down-select, and will no longer be a participant in the U.S. Army camouflage improvement effort.
We know that this news will be just as disappointing to our supporters as it was to us. However, it must be said that we actually achieved more than we thought was possible, back in June; and that those achievements are largely due to the support and encouragement of our enterprise partners, Bradford Printing & Finishing, and Premier Defence Agencies.
In spite of this set-back, Roggenwolf continues to pursue other opportunities in North America, Europe, and the Asia–Pacific region. As always, our design philosophy is built upon the belief that an effective camouflage uniform not only conceals its wearer in country, but reinforces its wearer’s sense of identity.
Digital Concealment Systems Announcement Regarding US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011This 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.
Army Camouflage Improvement Effort Update
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011The 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, 2011Why 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, 2011Who
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 “Smartcamoâ€; 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.
Kryptek LEAF
Thursday, December 8th, 2011Kryptek 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.
