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Archive for the ‘Camo’ Category

Afghanistan Camo Testing Announced

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

*UPDATED* Natick has been busy developing several new variants of UCP which retain the base pattern but replace individual colors. Word has it that some of them are down right ugly. It has recently been revealed by Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller, PEO-Soldier that the new “UCP-Delta” which integrates Coyote Brown into the pattern along with Multicam will be evaluated in Afghanistan beginning in October. In response to the Congressional directive to field a new camo pattern for operations in Afghanistan two Battalions worth of uniforms will be tested.

Below are two photos of UCP-Delta. One with an IOTV and one without.

UCP Delta with IOTV UCP Delta
Photos courtesy of PEO-Soldier

According to sources at Natick, 30% of the pattern of the UCP-Pattern is Coyote Brown. One advantage exhibited in the photos is that UCP Delta offers the perception that current UCP field equipment will not need to be replaced.

Mayflower Releases Quick Detach UW Chest Rig

Friday, September 11th, 2009

The production version of the UW Chest Rig, QD is now available. Small runs of the design have been produced and refined over the last couple of years. As the name implies, the rig is intended for use as a general purpose mid-size vest platform to be worn with the detachable H style harness or attached directly to Mayflower’s Low-Profile Armor Carrier. This gives a great deal of flexibility to the user and the detachable H-style harness features loops to route antennas, comms wires, and hydration bladder tubing.

UW Chest Rig, QD UW Chest Rig, QD Mounted to Armor

Made in the USA from 500D Cordura, the UW Chest Rig, QD is available in Ranger Green (solution dyed), Coyote Brown (solution dyed), Multicam, UCP, and Black. Please note: Desert Digital is NOT available.

For more information contact Mayflower Research and Consulting, LLC or to order visit Grey Group.

Canada Seeks Tools to Develop New Camo

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Earlier this week the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) issued a Request for Proposals for “Review and Development of Camouflage Pattern Generation for the Visual Spectrum” with the work to last through March 2012. So what exactly does that mean? To translate, they are looking for a set of software tools to rapidly prototype camo patterns.

CADPAT Temperate Woodland
Photo: Canadian DND

From the Solicitation:

Title:
Review and Development of Camouflage Pattern Generation for the Visual Spectrum
Objective:
The objective of the work is to develop a gallery of tools for Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC) that will be used within the Canadian Dept of National Defence (DND) to synthesize new camouflage patterns in accordance with important aspects of the human visual system and a collection of environment-specific imagery.
Scope of the Work:
The scope of work pertains to the development of algorithms for the synthesis and evaluation of camouflage patterns. An image processing term related to the development of camouflage patterns is “colour texture synthesis”. Camouflage patterns produced as part of the work must be effective in the visible spectrum for use on stationary targets against unaided human observers (i.e. without the aid of vision or detection enhancing devices). The outcome of the work include: 1) an interpretive review on the current “state-of-the-art” methodologies and techniques for the synthesis and evaluation of camouflage patterns and 2) a gallery of algorithms for the synthesis and evaluation of camouflage patterns. The Contractor is to conduct
the work in 5 phases.

So what’s the intent here? Keeping up with the Jones’? MARPAT and UCP are both close cousins to CADPAT. Perhaps our recent preoccupation with camouflage is rubbing off on our friends north of the border. Do the Canadians feel the need to tweak the colorways or perhaps develop entirely new patterns? Similar to the USMC’s MARPAT, CADPAT currently comes in two flavors; Temperate Woodland, a verdant variation for jungle and other lush areas and Arid Regions produced with a combination of brown shades for desert use. Interestingly, just over a year ago, in the US, the Marine Corps Systems Command awarded Timothy R. O’Neil a sole source contract for just under $31k for the “development and testing of an improved Marine Corps camouflage measure for individual clothing and equipment”. Timothy R. O’Neil is said to have been involved in the development of CADPAT and has partnered with the Canadian company HyperStealth Biotechnology Corp. Perhaps they will be contenders for this new work.

Army Combat Pants Update

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Army Combat Pants
We recently mentioned that the Army is working to pair the Army Combat Shirt with a Pant. A successful Limited User Evaluation earlier this year is going to be followed up with a rather extensive Field Trial in Afghanistan early next year.

Crye Precision Knee Pads
Yes, they look mysteriously like Crye knee pads.

While there is still no formal requirement for the ACP, newly revealed plans include integrating the trouser’s special features into the ACU. Naturally, by extension, any changes made to the ACU will also be made to the FR-ACU. So, perhaps by 2011 we could begin to see the ACU transform once again into an even more combat focused uniform. What will be interesting to see is if it can survive peacetime.

EOTAC Operator Pant – in UCP!

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

It seems that EOTAC has been listening to their customer base and has finally released their Operator Pants (Style 201) in the Army’s Universal Camouflage Pattern.

EOTAC Lightweight Operator Pants in UCP

Manufactured from a fade resistant 7 ounce all-cotton ripstop, end users affectionately call this pant the “pajama pant” due to its comfort. I can attest to this claim, they are very comfortable and have a soft hand. Additionally, EOTAC applies DuPont Teflon® fabric protector to repel both water and oil based spills.

All critical seams are double-needle stitched and bar-tacked at stress points. The Action Waist has side elastic panels for freedom of movement. The 1 inch wide reinforced belt loops are strategically placed and accommodate belts up to 1 3/4 inches wide and the gusseted crotch allows for a greater range of mobility while reducing the stress around the crotch area of the pant.

There are multiple pockets to cover a wide range of uses. Two secured back pockets accommodate a wallet or ID while two larger easy access rear pockets accommodate larger gear. Like the ACU pant, there are two slant top bellows cargo pockets. They feature hook & loop closure flaps and elastic drawstring with cord lock for additional security. Inside the cargo pockets are elastic webbing loops that secure up to two 30-round magazines per pocket. The reinforced knees feature external openings with hook & loop closures for inserting foam knee pads (included). Two lower leg bellows pockets each feature a hook & loop closure flap and two chem stick holders.

“This was a natural progression for us. Our Operator Pant is based very closely on the US Army’s ACU pant. Because of that similarity in look, soldiers had asked us to offer it in the UCP. That was an easy decision to make. If it helps our soldiers, then it was worth doing,” said Fernando Coelho , president of EOTAC.

Sizes are available in 28″to 48″ waist and inseam lengths of 30″to 36″ (even sizes). In addition to UCP, the pants are also available in Khaki, Black, Navy, and OD Green. To order visit www.EOTAC.com.

Camo Concepts

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Looking back in the Soldier Systems archives, I ran across this photo of a prototype for a Reversible Camo BDU.

Reversible Camouflage

This program took place during the late 90s in an effort to reduce the number of uniforms a Soldier would be issued. At the time, it made a big splash and everyone went on and on about how ground breaking the technology was but ultimately, the technology has been around for ages. In fact, US as well as German forces in WW II had reversible clothing and equipment. What is probably more of a challenge than printing on both sides of the fabric is the design of the uniform that retains functionality and camouflage properties no matter which side is worn against the body. All that being said, perhaps some pieces of equipment such as combat smocks and lightweight jackets could be produced in a reversible scheme. These may well come in very handy for troops who traverse desert as well as areas with dense vegetation regularly. Dark camo jackets have long been used in conjunction with light trousers. Arctic Warfare training often insists on the use of white over trousers and OD parkas while operating below the tree line. What’s more, British forces have been combining patterns both early in the Afghanistan intervention as well as of late.

British Forces Use Mixed Camo Uniforms
Photo Michael Yon

Mayflower E&R Bag

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

MRC E&R Bag in UCP

If this bag looks familiar to you it should. Consider it a much needed update to the groundbreaking Diamondback Tactical E&R Bag which itself inspired a whole slew of clones. What makes the Mayflower E&R Bag so special is that both it and the DBT Bag were designed by the same person; Mayflower’s owner. Based on real world experience, the E&R Bag was designed to be used as a grab and go bag in emergency situations or as an everyday tote bag for essential patrol items.

MRC E&R Bag's external flat pouches designed to discretely carry six M4 or similar sized magazines

The E&R Bag features a removable shoulder strap, fixed carrying handle, two external general purpose pouches and two external flat pouches designed to discretely carry six M4 or similar sized magazines. The top flap is designed to carry maps or other 8 ½” x 11” documents in a clear, zippered enclosure. Internally the E&R Bag is divided into one large and two small compartments with elastic provided to secure chemlites, pens, or other similar size/shaped items.

Berry Compliant and offered in Black, Coyote, UCP, and Multicam, the E&R Bag is available from Mayflower online or other purveyors of fine tactical products.

Boonie Hat Blowout

Monday, August 31st, 2009

You’ve seen our coverage of the ultra-lightweight ghille-style boonie hats from Tactical Distributors. Now they are on sale. So stop making excuses get one for yourself.

To order visit Tactical Distributors.