Tomorrow we are going to have a great article about blending in. In the meantime, we thought you’d enjoy these stills from the Warner brothers classic cartoon “Unnatural History”. Our friend Cal the Chameleon can blend into virtually any environment, except plaid.
The West Point PAO published a fantastic story early this month about the Engineering Psychology program within the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership. It gives a great account of Dr Timothy Oneill’s (LTC USA, Ret) contribution to the development of camouflage patterns and his participation in Phase IV of the Army’s current camouflage effort. It is absolutely worth reading. However, it is the last paragraph of the article that begged our attention.
“O’Neill personally believes the end state will be two uniforms with snow overwhites. Though he is currently unable to discuss any particulars about the new uniform, O’Neill assures that they are developing it as fast as they can.”
We’re sure you’ve heard the old adage, “Amateurs talk tactics, professionals talk logistics” and ultimately, this is the major issue for those touting multiple patterns for the Army. Unfortunately, many of them are also suffering from another oldie but goodie, “Those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it.” It seems the Army’s institutional memory is incapable of even making it back to 2001 or even 2003 when US troops commenced combat operations first in Afghanistan in woodland camouflage uniforms and then a scant year and a half later liberated Iraq in a mixture of woodland and 3-color desert patterns. Even then, it was a repeat of the first Gulf war when all of the services were incapable of preparing a sufficient stockpile of desert dress. The bottom line here is that it is simply too expensive to issue every Soldier multiple camo patterns. Even if sufficient funding were secured, would even two patterns be enough? They too would be generic patterns and compromises. So how many patterns would it take?
The question isn’t whether the Army is capable of developing numerous specific patterns for a variety of target areas. That is the easy part. The real challenge is how to produce and issue such uniforms and equipment fast enough to actually have an effect on the operation. As a nation, we have failed three times to accomplish this, and that was but for a single pattern. Imagine if this issue were multiplied even ten-fold.
Yes, you are going to say that the Marine Corps issues two uniforms but they are a much smaller service. The outlay isn’t as great. However, FROG is not offered in Woodland MARPAT so the Marine Corps doesn’t even really offer a combat uniform in a jungle or forest pattern. Additionally, their solution for a common colored load carrying and armor solution was based more on economy than performance. If the Army ever issues a final report from the recent photometric camouflage study conducted in Afghanistan, there will be some empirical evidence that suggests that solid colors such as Coyote are not very good performers as they provide too much contrast with the camo pattern. So maybe the Marines didn’t do such a great job after all.
Then there is the whole issue with clashing with your environment. Specifically, woodland pattern in a desert environment or vice versa. Troops can’t carry multiple patterns during an operation and change clothing as the environment changes. This has already been an issue in Afghanistan for both the US Marines as British forces.
All of these lessons were learned at the beginning of this war and the Army decided to adopt a Universal pattern. Unfortunately, they initially chose UCP. However, they have since selected an excellent Universal camouflage pattern for Afghanistan in Crye’s MultiCam. It works, it has been tested several times, and it is available. What’s more, it is an issue pattern. Even better, the troops love it. So what’s the problem?
If the Army wants to make an effect immediately, then the solution to Phase IV is simple. Adopt MultiCam and continue to develop and evaluate camouflage patterns. Once a superior pattern is identified, work with the sister services to institute an upgrade in capability.
If you find yourself in Brussels, Belguim between 13 and 15 October, 2010 then you might consider attending the “Camouflage Takes Centre Stage” symposium sponsored by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History (RMM).
For more info visit the symposium’s website.
Two new patterns have been specifically optimized for arid “PenCott-Sandstorm†and semi-arid terrain “PenCott-Badlands†joining the original PenCott-GreenZone pattern. These areas are the most common and most likely operational environments for military assistance and special operations forces.
PenCott’s unique digital fractal design dithers four terrain-optimized contrasting colors to create a combination of soft, blended and hard edges for a more natural-looking texture, and the illusion of a wider spectrum of color tones. This makes it harder for the human eye to process, and recognizable shapes become more difficult to detect and recognize.
Additionally, Hyde Definition has revised their licensing rates to make it even easier for companies to produce their own clothing and equipment designs in the PenCott camouflage pattern. Contact Dom Hyde for further details.
Visit the website www.hydedefinition.com
Swedish brand Tac-Up Gear has just introduced their Expeditionary Air Wing Scarf in both M-90 and M-90 K Desert. Sized at 1 meter x 1 meter, the EAW Scarf is so sheer you can see right through it if you use it as a base for a scrim net.
Could the recent Sources Sought Notice from Natick for Camouflage Patterns, Concepts and Design/Analysis Tools be in support of the Army’s fabled Phase IV of their camouflage plan? We hear that so far only a few companies have ponied up and this has prompted Natick’s Multifunctional Materials Team, Warfighter Science, Technology and Research Directorate to extend the deadline from May 28th until June 18th. Interested parties should check out the Sources Sought Notice and respond if you have something of interest. Now is the time to stand up and be counted.
Apparently, whatever the final plan is for Phase IV it is supposed to be on the Chief of Staff of the Army’s desk by 14 November and word has it that the Army-wide adoption of MultiCam will be one of the courses of action. At this point, it is the path of least resistance since to do nothing and retain UCP would meet a great deal of operational resistance based on several rounds of testing. Additionally, industry is beginning to energize a supply chain for MultiCam that can be further ramped up to meet increased demand. We fully support the continued development of more advanced patterns but MultiCam increases capability immediately. What’s more we would like to see the Air Force adopt MultiCam at least for deployed forces.
Last year we reported that in addition to the Congressionally mandated search for a new camo pattern for Afghanistan, they were also going to add language to the Defense Authorization Act for 2010 that would require the services to begin to work toward a common camouflage pattern as well as combat uniform. That requirement is now section 352 of Public Law 111–84. Last week, the Government Accounting Office released the report below as an interim response.
GAO Report: Observations on DoD’s Ground Combat Uniforms
Additionally, here are some recent comments from the House Armed Services Committee:
Ground combat uniform research and development Section 352 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84) established, as a policy of the United States, that the design and fielding of all future ground combat and camouflage utility uniforms of the armed forces may uniquely reflect the identity of the individual military services, provided that the ground combat and camouflage utility uniforms, to the maximum extent practicable:
(1) provide members of every military service an equivalent level of performance, functionality, and protection commensurate with their respective assigned combat missions;
(2) minimize risk to the individual soldier, sailor, airman, or marine operating in the joint battlespace; and
(3) provide interoperability with other components of individual war fighter systems, including body armor and other individual protective systems.
The committee notes that part of the rationale for section 352 of Public Law 111–84 was to reduce the multiple research, design, development, and fielding efforts for military ground combat uniforms being undertaken by the military departments and to improve the overall combat capability of those assigned to ground combat missions.
In an interim response to section 352 of Public Law 111–84, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found no performance standards for specific combat environments, no criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of camouflage patterns, and no requirements for the services to test interoperability between their uniforms and other protective gear. Furthermore, while GAO found some examples of uniform technology being shared across the services, the committee emphasizes the importance of sharing new technologies, advanced materials, and other advances in ground combat uniform design and development between the military services. The committee notes that some of the military departments have used the Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center during development of their ground combat uniforms to test the effectiveness of the camouflage, and, in some cases, camouflage effectiveness of ground combat uniforms and protective gear. The committee believes, however, that Natick’s resources could be better utilized for joint research and development. Because of its expertise, the committee urges the services to consider expanding their use of the Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center as a center of excellence for uniform research and development to guide their development of camouflage effectiveness and performance criteria and testing.
Additionally, the committee encourages the Secretary of Defense to consider designating an executive agent (EA) to oversee Department of Defense activities related to research and development of ground combat and camouflage utility uniforms. The committee envisions that such an EA would be similar to the functions performed by the executive agent for operation of the Department of Defense Combat Feeding Research and Engineering Program.
Overall, not a whole lot of shocking news here but lots of good costing data has been provided. However, check out the second bullet on slide 33 of the GAO document. A bit of a surprise there. Also, of interest is slide 45 which shows the new Navy Type II and III camo based on the AOR patterns.
This is very exciting news for large businesses as well as the Do-It-Yourselfer. After many months of stage two development on A-TACS and further enhancement of the printing technology behind the pattern, Digital Concealment Systems has announced that Berry compliant A-TACS Nylon Cordura, Nylon webbing, and Hook and Loop is now available for purchase.
In an exclusive partnership, A-TACS Nylon Cordura is now available for worldwide distribution through LC Industries. As a result of this distribution deal, production-ready fabrics can be purchased in quantities as low as 5 yards which will enable a wide range of specialized gear manufacturers to begin producing product without the need to carry heavy fabric inventory.
Fabric will be available in 330D, 500D and 1,000D weights with urethane backing and DWR treated face. For additional information, pricing or to place an order, please call Julie Kammerer or Susan Fields with LCI / TAG at 1-888-890-1199.
A-TACS nylon webbing and bindings are now available exclusively hrough Texcel, Inc. in a variety of specifications ranging from three-quarter inch to three inch widths. For ordering information and pricing, please contact John Pinkos at 401-727-2113.
To complete the A-TACS total concealment system, DCS in conjunction with Aplix, Inc. is proud to announce the release of A-TACS hook and printed loop. For ordering information and pricing, please contact James Bishop at 800-438-0424.
For all other inquiries regarding A-TACS Nylons, please contact Steve Hanks with Digital Concealment Systems at 334-448-5442.
