Army testing ACU camouflage patterns in Afghanistan
Oct 30, 2009
By Courtesy of HQDA, G-4

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 30, 2009) - Two new Army Combat Uniform camouflage patterns - MultiCam; and the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP-Delta) - are being tested by two battalions in Afghanistan.

The camouflage patterns are being tested to determine what might provide the best concealment to Soldiers operating in a unique mountain, desert and woodlands environment.

One battalion is receiving uniforms in MultiCam, a pattern worn by some Special Forces troops, while the other battalion is receiving uniforms in Universal Camouflage Pattern - Delta, a variant of the current ACU camouflage pattern that incorporates the coyote brown color and reduces the percentages of sand and gray colors. The battalions also will retain their standard ACUs.

"We already have extensive data on the performance of various camouflage patterns in particular environments, but we need to keep building the science for Operation Enduring Freedom," said Brig. Gen. Peter N. Fuller, who oversees Program Executive Office Soldier. "For example, we need more information on how the uniform camouflage blends with the Soldier's combat equipment in specific environments."

While the issue of camouflage patterns has recently been in the news, the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center has studied and reported on the effectiveness of different camouflage patterns for many years.

A team has deployed to Afghanistan to collect data in the various environments, outside the forward operating bases. The team includes representatives from PEOffice Soldier, Army G-4, U.S. Army Infantry Center, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, the Asymmetric Warfare Group, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and NSRDEC.

Feedback from the two battalions, as well as results of additional tests being conducted by NSRDEC on multiple camouflage patterns, are expected to be presented to Army leadership in early 2010.

Since the introduction of the Army Combat Uniform in 2004 the service has made more than 25 improvements to the ACU and its associated equipment based on what Soldiers have to say.

Improvements since 2004 include a reinforced seat, buttons on the cargo pockets, and better attachment of the infrared tab. This improvement process is ongoing, as Soldiers keep suggesting new ways to adapt the uniform to their needs.

Army always seeking improvements to combat uniform
Oct 30, 2009
By HQDA, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, G-4

ARLINGTON, Va. (Oct. 30, 2009) –– Nothing says pride like a Soldier in uniform. Today's Soldier has much to be proud of in the current Army Combat Uniform (ACU).

As Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston said, the ACU was designed by Soldiers, for Soldiers. Developed with functionality in mind, many design aspects of the uniform lend themselves to low maintenance, such as the 50/50 cotton/nylon wrinkle-free fabric and the shine-free boots. The uniform also has pockets for elbow and knee pad inserts for added protection, and drawstring at the ankles and waist for improved comfort and fit.

Since introduction of the ACU in 2004, the Army has made more than 25 improvements to the uniform and associated equipment based on Soldier input. These include a reinforced seat, buttons on the cargo pockets, and better attachment of the infrared tab. This improvement process is ongoing, as Soldiers keep suggesting new ways to adapt the uniform to their needs.

Now the Army is focusing on the concealment the ACU provides to Soldiers operating in Afghanistan's unique environment of mountains, deserts, and woodlands.

"The Army is all about taking care of Soldiers," said Command Sgt. Maj.Jeffrey J. Mellinger of Army Materiel Command. "That means providing Soldiers with the best equipment. In this case, it means evaluating what is the best camouflage for uniforms in current operating environments."

The Army is exploring alternate camouflage patterns in two ways. First, the Army is equipping two battalions in Afghanistan with uniforms and personal equipment in alternate camouflage patterns. One battalion is receiving uniforms in MultiCam, a pattern worn by some Special Forces troops in Afghanistan. The other battalion is receiving uniforms in Universal Camouflage Pattern - Delta (UCP-Delta), a variant of the current ACU camouflage pattern that incorporates the Coyote Brown color and reduces the percentages of sand and gray colors. The battalions also will retain their standard ACUs.

Second, the Army is evaluating six candidate camouflage patterns, including the currently used Universal Camouflage Pattern. The intent is to determine which of the six currently available patterns, with corresponding personal protective equipment, provides Soldiers with the most effective concealment in Afghanistan.

"We already have extensive data on the performance of various camouflage patterns in particular environments, but we need to keep building the science for Operation Enduring Freedom," said Brig. Gen. Peter N. Fuller, the Program Executive Officer Soldier. "For example, we need more information on how the uniform camouflage blends with the Soldier's combat equipment in specific environments."

While the issue of camouflage patterns has recently been in the news, the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) has studied and reported on the effectiveness of different camouflage patterns for many years. The current ACU provides Soldiers with concealment in a variety of environments, from urban to desert, both during the day and at night.

A team has deployed to Afghanistan to collect data in the various environments, outside the Forward Operating Bases, where Soldiers are fighting the enemy. The team includes representatives from the Program Executive Office Soldier, Army G-4, U.S. Army Infantry Center, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, the Asymmetric Warfare Group, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and NSRDEC.

Feedback from the two battalions, as well as results of additional tests being conducted by NSRDEC on multiple camouflage patterns, are expected to be presented to Army leadership in early 2010.

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Pics?

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Pics?

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god UCP looks so fucking gross. What was it? Like hey, just throw this ugly ass color in and call it a day?

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UCP-D

http://www.defensetech.org/images/UCP-delta.jpg

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What was wrong with DCU's?

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UCP-D
http://www.defensetech.org/images/UCP-delta.jpg

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wtf


 

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UCP-D
http://www.defensetech.org/images/UCP-delta.jpg

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UCP-D

http://www.defensetech.org/images/UCP-delta.jpg

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It looks like the old German flecktarn.

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UCP-D
http://www.defensetech.org/images/UCP-delta.jpg

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wtf
 

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Here is a pic from the Multicam test...

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They should just go with MC, but I think it's more likely they'll go with UCP-D.

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What was wrong with DCU's?

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Here is a pic from the Multicam test...

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reminds me of monty python's "how not to be seen"

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http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc301/hoosier122/gun%20stuff/wherescamoman.jpg



I have no idea how close I am.  It just looked like a break in the foliage and shadows.

 

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UCP-D
http://www.defensetech.org/images/UCP-delta.jpg

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Fuck me running, that looks like someone got a bunch of drunk Germans from Oktoberfest to barf all over a set of ACUs and then actually put that shit on afterwards.



Would Army Aviation pilots have to wear that shit? That actually looks so bad it's having an impact on future plans.

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Why not just go back to Woodland and 6 Color Desert?

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I was speaking more towards if I located to "combatant" in the picture...

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Checklist:



1. Does it make sense?

2. Does it solve an existing problem?



If yes to either or both:



3. Do not adopt recommended change under any circumstances.








Your post wasn't the one I quoted...

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Please let multicam win.

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UCP-D

http://www.defensetech.org/images/UCP-delta.jpg

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UCP-D
http://www.defensetech.org/images/UCP-delta.jpg