Some friends of Raven Concealment Systems sent them this photo during an extended trip. If you are the owner of this car, contact SSD for a KCRF Tshirt.
Archive for the ‘Camo’ Category
Raven Concealment Systems Has Some Cool Friends
Monday, August 12th, 2013Gratuitous Mayflower Kit Photo
Thursday, August 8th, 2013
Kryptek Announces Jim Erwin As Newest Pro Staff Member
Tuesday, August 6th, 2013Jim “The Kraken” Erwin is the latest member of Kryptek’s Pro Staff. Man, I knew Jim before he was “The Kraken”.
Jim spent 12 years in the US Army including service with 1st SFOD-D and has an extensive background in industry where he is well known. Congrats Jim and Kryptek!
5.11 Tactical Now Available in Realtree Xtra
Sunday, August 4th, 20135.11 Tactical has made a significant foray into the hunting world with the introduction of their new color option, Realtree Xtra. SGM Kyle E. Lamb (USA, Ret) of Viking Tactics and Robb Wiley from Non-Typical Outfitters are featured in this video which gives you a glimpse of hunting in 5.11.
Offered in limited styles including the Taclite Pro Pant as well as Taclite Pro Shirt in short and long sleeves. There is also the Rush72 Pack and two models of caps. With 5.11’s foothold in several big box hunting and fishing specialty stores, this looks to be a savvy move.
RAAF Blue MultiCam Variant – The Rest Of The Story
Wednesday, July 24th, 2013Remember this photo we posted of a blue variant of the Australian MultiCam Pattern developed for the Royal Australian Air Force? Apparently, it promoted a query to the Department of Defence.
Questions:
1.) Are there any variants (colour variants or otherwise) of the AMP being tested, considered, or evaluated. In particular, is there a ‘blue’ RAAF version as seen here (https://soldiersystems.net/2013/06/27/an-raaf-variant-of-amp/)
2.) Are there publicly available results of the comparative camouflage testing in which AMP featured? If not, when are these expected to be made available.
3.) What is the timeframe for the rollout of AMP to various units (including an variants), and will CPCU uniforms also be replaced?
A Defence Spokesman responded to all of the questions with this statement:
RAAF and Army currently wear the same Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU). RAAF is currently considering alternative patterns and/or colours which would easily identify Air Force personnel from Army personnel. The new uniform would provide the same protection from the elements as DPCU.
The image you are referring to is a prototype only. It was developed to provide a visual comparison to DPCU. This prototype is not being further considered. Patterns and/or colour variants of the new uniform are currently under development, hence no further information on timeframes can be provided at this time.
While we’re happy to see that this isn’t something that the RAAF plans on fielding, we have to wonder what these other variants might look like.
Thanks to N for the heads up!
US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort Update – The Announcement
Wednesday, July 24th, 2013I’ve heard it from enough sources now that I’m prepared to share a new target date for the official announcement of selection for the US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort. While already a year behind schedule, a lot as happened. They began by pitting 20 candidates against one another before whittling the field down to four.
During the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting, October 21-23, we anticipate the Secretary of the Army, the Honorable John McHugh, to announce the winner from among the four finalist patterns. They are from top left, clockwise: Crye Precision, Kryptek, ADS Inc partnered with Guy Cramer, and Brookwood.
In addition to the new pattern we also expect an announcement for a new boot color although we understand that the actual color has not yet been determined. Don’t be surprised if we see a new accessory color as well for T-shirts, socks, gloves, etc.
First off, it’s nice to hear confirmation after confirmation (although not officially) that the announcement is coming. But, we’ve been here before and still no announcement. I’m still a bit skeptical, so I’ll believe it when I see it. Second, both Houses of Congress have passed versions of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act that require DoD to move toward a common combat uniform and associated camouflage. Those bills will take effect 1 October. While not a mathematician, I can look at a calendar and when I do, I see an issue.
To say that I am less than impressed would be an understatement. In military terms, this strategy is the equivalent of the Army knowing that an attack was coming on 1 October but planning to respond on the 21st of October. Of course, the Army could head all of this pesky legislation off at the pass and come out on top in the DoD Camo Wars. They did it already with the Individual Carbine program when members of Congress passed an amendment to the NDAA requiring them to complete testing. They didn’t wait around for that good idea to become law. but they seem to be waiting for this. if they would only act, they would not only be the dominate land force but also look like it and simultaneously, dominate the camouflage debate and do it with empirical evidence.
Even so, the impending legislation remains contentious with services openly challenging the notion of returning to a common combat uniform. Last week, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, GEN Amos let his Marines know that he wasn’t going to give up the service’s distinctive MARPAT camouflage.
“We are on it like a hobo on a ham sandwich,” Amos was quoted in a DoD press release, “I love the hell out of this uniform and I don’t have any intention of changing it.”
It will be very interesting to watch this all play out.
Dutch Camo Update
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013Last week in the village of Steenwijk, the Dutch joint Soldier Systems Knowledge Centre (joint kenniscentrum militair & uitrusting) presented a display of some of the latest camouflage work.
On display was an entirely new pattern which is intended for all personal equipment, regardless of the uniform being worn (NFP-woodland or NFP-tan) like the OCIE pattern of the US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort. The pattern is still awaiting final approval from the Commander of the Dutch Forces with fielding commencing around 2014/2015. This should also include a new set of equipment with a plate carrier as a base, instead of the cureent issue ops vest.
Of particular interest was a trial uniform in Dutch DPM being worn by one of the Centre’s officers. It offers a different cut and pocket layout.
Guy Cramer’s Investigation of the US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort – Part 6
Monday, July 22nd, 2013by Guy Cramer, President/CEO of HyperStealth Biotechnology Corp.
Guy Cramer continues his investigation into the US Army’s Camouflage Improvement Effort in Part 6 of his series. He brings up some very compelling points. Now that the Army has indefinitely delayed the announcement of their camo findings, they rush headlong into impending legislation requiring them to adopt a common pattern and uniform with the other services. The time to assume leadership in clothing US servicemembers for combat is now.
This isn’t a performance issue like the Individual Carbine. They’ve done the research. They have the solution. All the Army has to do, is act. Otherwise, everyone may be stuck with second best; the baseline patterns that the Army’s effort was meant to replace.
Read Cramer’s report here.
