As if we didn’t already have enough to consider with Marpat, UCP, UCP-D, MultiCam and Desert Brush, in comes another pattern making inroads in the milgear blogosphere.
I’ve been trolling over at our friends Soldier Systems’ site over the past couple days, and the editor over there is obsessed with the development of this new pattern. Not one day after I scoped his post, our partners at Tactical-Life forwarded me an article (that looked more like a press release to me) unveiling the new, multi-environment pattern.
Companies participating in this unprecedented launch include Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS Panther Arms, Danner, EOTAC, Tactical Assault Gear, Blue Force Gear and Emerson Knives.
The the so-called A-TACS pattern departs from today’s “pixel” obsession and goes more along the blended lines, making it easy to slip between environments and still conceal movement.
Many who have seen the pattern comment on how it is unlike any camouflage pattern they have encountered as its chameleon-like qualities cause it to blend into the surrounding environment. This unique “pattern within a pattern” concept allows it to break up the outline of the human body relying on a palette of inter-mingled natural colors over a neutral tan base for use in open, rocky, or arid environments.
And here’s the conglomerate’s explanation for their design:
Many of the modern digital camouflage patterns currently in use by the tactical community have flaws. The square pixels used to create the distortion effect do not replicate the shapes, forms and shadows of the environment they are deployed in-especially when viewed through optics. The ninety-degree angles and limited use of natural colors can in many cases, make detection easier.
Additionally, the “visual noise” in these same patterns tends to make them close-up into a solid color, producing a “blobbing” effect when viewed from a distance. A-TACS addresses and improves these critical issues in three ways.
1. — Replace un-natural square pixels with organic pixels. Utilizing our patented process, we created a palette of natural colors digitally sampled from real-world elements in carefully controlled lighting. The pattern is then created using a mathematical algorithm that writes “organically-shaped” pixels using the specific color information given. The resulting pattern while still digital, is far more organic in appearance.
2. — Use small patterns to create larger more distinct shapes designed to work at a distance. Small shapes create larger shapes and larger shapes are organized into a distinct pattern with no horizontal or vertical orientation. This unique “pattern within a pattern” concept allows A-TACS® to effectively break the human outline at great distances thereby, minimizing the “blobbing” effect of other patterns when viewed from a distance.
3. — More effective use of color-range produces a better concealment system. A-TACS® is created using a far greater range of inter-mingled natural colors than was previously possible. The overall base color for the cast is a neutral tan which is designed for use in open, rocky or arid environments.
Furthermore, the abstract and intricate nature of this pattern gives it a unique “fingerprint”which is not only adaptable to various service branches, but also makes it difficult to copy.
I dunno, another desert/urban pattern? Aren’t we debating the flaws of the UCP because of the forested environments of Afghanistan? Doesn’t this one look as if it would stick out on a green background?
On the other hand, it’s interesting to see someone make a play against the ever-popular MultiCam and to tinker with the science of concealment. Let’s not forget, the Army is in the midst of a comprehensive look at its camouflage effectiveness and A-TACS is surely poised to play a role in pushing the argument and science.
This guy’s clearly wearing MultiCam and has all the high-speed identifiers that a US trooper would wear. I can’t seem to find a high-rez version of this photo, which itself is a mystery, but given the story that surrounds the photo and context of that area of Afghanistan, I’m leaning heavily toward an adoption by at least some groups of French military (their version of the PJs) of MulitCam uniforms.
In this photo released by the French Army, Nato French soldiers evacuate wounded from Tagab, Afghanistan, Monday Nov. 16, 2009. Insurgents fired two rockets Monday into a crowded market northeast of Kabul where the head of French forces in Afghanistan held a meeting with tribal elders. The attack killed at least twelve and wounded 20 other people, the French military said. (AP / HO / ADC Jean-Charles Thorel)
The only thing that makes me pause, is that I reported a while back that USAF PJs were wearing MultiCam combat uniforms in the AO. This guy could be a PJ but I can’t see enough of the helo and am skeptical that an AF bubba would be sporting Rock Star hair and a hillbilly beard. Wouldn’t look too good with the rest of his pals at the Bagram Links.
So help me with this dear readers…who is this guy?
I’m set to post a new story on Military.com with exclusive details on which units have received the two different camo patterned uniforms the Army is experimenting with in Afghanistan.
Defense Tech is the first site to reveal this information, which comes from a quick interview this morning with PEO Soldier’s Col. Bill Cole.
According to Cole, the 3rd Squadron of the 61st Cavalry Regiment has already been issued the UCP-Delta duds, including a new chest rig developed for Natick and patterned in the UCP-D. And if you’re one of the lucky Joes in the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, you’ll be getting a whole ensemble of the U.S. military’s most popular camo pattern: MultiCam.
Cole said the service used rapid equipping force funds to purchase plate carriers in MultiCam and each Soldier will be issued molle gear patterned in Crye’s colors.
Both battalions operate in Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar province.
You can read more details this afternoon on Military.com, but I thought I’d go ahead and spill the beans here for our faithful followers.
(Picture is of a Soldier from the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment…notice the MultiCam Camelbak)
Our good friends at Soldier Systems have an interesting post on PEO Soldier’s latest improvement program for the fire-resistent ACU pant. It looks as if PEO is going all Gucci on Joes here with high speed knee pads, space-age fabrics and more dip pockets than you can pack a can with.
Originally called the Army Combat Pant and for a short period referred to as the Fire Resistant Ruggedized Pant, the program has transformed into the FR ACU Trouser Product Improvement Program. Ultimately, what this means is that PEO-Soldier is working hard to transform the FR ACU into an even more combat focused garment rather than developing yet another garment.
We reported here and at Military.com a couple years ago on gripes from the field about the durability of the new ACUs, particularly with the crotch construction and the knees. During a sit down with reporters a few weeks ago, PEO officials talked up their most recent enhancements, including buttons on the trouser pockets instead of Velcro, a better collar, smaller Velcro on the zipper flap of the blouse, better IR tape placement and new cuffs.
But it looks like their also developing a way more tricked out version as well:
Massif Mountain Gear and Crye Precision collaborated on the next step, which resulted in the Massif Army Combat Pant Version 4.0A, which employed various weights of Defender M fabric and Defender M stretch fabric to make the seat and crotch more durable. At the same time, Crye Precision’s adjustable-height, integrated hard-shell knee pad design greatly improved the durability of the knee, providing greater protection to the Soldier. This feature in particular has been the most important solution in the project. External knee pads require constant adjustment and lightweight pads slipped into the knee pad slot of the trouser result in extra abrasion and worn knees.
Crye is wracking up the coups here, with the camo evaluation in Afghanistan (MultiCam) and now this. And I must say I’m a big fan of Massif, which makes the Army’s combat shirt. They hooked me with some FR gear for my last Iraq embed to evaluate and they were great to work with (though I didn’t much like their FR fleece).
Be sure to keep an eye on Soldier Systems for updates to this story. We’ll also have more here at DT on the great camo battle going on in Afghanistan.
Another awesome photo (HI REZ) sent to Defense Tech from an alert reader today. Looks like these are trainers for Afghan commando teams coming back from an op in the bush.
Where do I start…
All are wearing BDUs. What does that say about the UCP, or even MultiCam for that matter?
I think at least two of the Americans are weilding H&K 416s and one has P-mags. #2 is wearing cool moto patches. And the Afghan is clearly part of the commando unit based on his unit patch, but he also might be a medic.
I want to introduce to our readers a friend I’ve picked up along the way on my winding trip through the blogosphere.
Dave Reader edits the awesome site BreachBangClear with a humor and whit unmatched in subject matter populated with more hooah knuckle-draggers than literary enthusiasts. I flirted for a while with a cross-post relationship with him, but I found that his style and sense of humor creates an atmosphere all his own and would be diluted by my stodgy format.
So, we’re going to do what we can here to bring Dave’s stuff to your attention — particularly those of you on the pointy end. Periodically we’ll feature a sort of “teaser” highlighting Dave — and his Liliputian plastic counterparts’ — posts and reviews.
Hope you all enjoy, and we’ll weigh in when the mood strikes us…
Tactical pundits Richard Kilgore and Jake Call are continuing their work to improve the lot of folks on the sharp end. Their most recent blog post is interesting, if not as long and caustic as some of their other diatribes, particularly if you’re in a job that takes you into the field. Whether working a crash in the pouring rain, doing the warrant recce on a dope house with a sodden lawn or wading irrigation ditches in Afghanistan, there’s always the risk of having to stomp around in wet boots on your next patrol or mission. Richard and Jake are aware of how bad this sucks, so they’ve posted another helpful tip on their blog at Breach-Bang-Clear — go check it out.
The following photo ran with the following generic caption: U.S. troops keep a watchful eye out as people go to the polls for the country’s 2nd Presidential elections, August 20, 2009 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Security is on high alert as the Afghan people go the the polls. The Taliban have vowed to disrupt the democratic election. — Kate Brooks, Getty Images
My question: Who are these guys? Camo? Not US issue. Helmets, callsign patches, ballistic eyewear, M4 with all the whistles and bells? US-issue looking. But definately high-speed US unit issue if so. The one tell-tale I see is the guy on the right’s pistol holster — looks a little too chinsy for a US operator.
First there were 19 who were whittled down to 12. Then only five were left standing.
Now, after one of the world’s most crushing selection programs, only two remain — well, three, if you count the one who was rolled back into the initial phase of the school.
For the first time in its storied history, the Coast Guard is on track to have two of its own earn the coveted trident badge of a Navy SEAL. The two officers have reached the third phase of initial SEAL selection after joining Basic Underwater Demolition School class 276 in March, enduring the grueling mental and physical travails that weed out all but the hardiest warriors.
“I’m very proud of these guys,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Darrick DeWitt, the senior enlisted advisor for the Coast Guard’s Deployable Operations Group, which ran the selection process for the service.
“We wanted to make sure we sent people with good character and good values. I think we did that,” he added in a telephone interview with Military.com. “These guys not only represented the Coast Guard well, but represented their country well.”
After a two-year effort to leverage the expertise of Naval Special Warfare and the Coast Guard’s new role in homeland security and maritime special operations, the service selected its first group of Coastguardsmen to become commandos late last summer.
Coast Guard officials say they hope the SEAL-trained Coasties will seed the rest of the force with valuable skills learned in special operations training and operations and bring back to their sea service a bit of the esprit de corps found in the commando ranks.
For Naval Special Warfare, the pressure to grow its force makes an injection of well-vetted candidates to their ranks a boon, cutting out the hassle of dealing with recruits who don’t have what it takes to become a SEAL.
“We’re just glad to get good candidates,” said Lt. Commander Shane Reilly, the executive officer at the Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command in Coronado, Calif. “With the war going on, we’re under a lot of pressure to increase [special operations forces] and we walk a fine line without bending standards.”
After reviewing 19 applications back in August 2008, evaluators tapped 12 Coastguardsmen to run through a week-long selection process in Panama City, Fla., that included physical tests, mental evaluations and exercises that gave the wannabe frogmen a taste of what the legendary Basic Underwater Demolition School, or BUDS, is all about.
The Coast Guard declined to provide any further details on the SEAL candidates’ identities for security reasons.
In the end, five made the cut, including four officers — a civil engineer, two cutter officers and one assigned to the district staff — and an enlisted man who serves as a boarding officer at a station in California.
The enlisted Coastie washed out during the early part of the Navy’s selection process when he came up just short on a physical qualification.
“It surprised me,” DeWitt said of the Coastie, and Reilly added that the man missed the standard by a “very small margin.”
“But, you know, they have tough standards,” DeWitt said. “We’ll see if he wants to come back for a second round.”
That left four officers who made it into what many believe is the most physically and mentally difficult assessment program in the world. Early morning beach runs, cold water sit ups, sand in every crevice for days, no food, no sleep you get the picture. And all the while SEAL instructors are goading you to quit.
And one did.
During the toughest phase of BUDS, one of the four remaining Coasties rang the infamous bell that signaled his voluntary exit from the program, leaving three to complete the course.
Later, another of the officers was injured during the assessment — a frequent cause of SEAL candidate drop outs — and was rolled back into a new class to start from the beginning of BUDS.
The presentation is basically an in-depth look at what the Navy’s Irregular Warfare Office has been doing since it was established in 2008 to act as a sort of Navy version of the Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group.
Aside from the Imminent Fury brief, which is slightly different from what my sources told me about the origins and goal of the program, there are some semi-interesting UAV and UUV initiatives they’re working on, primarily for air-to-sub intel gathering.
But on one of the last slides we find something pretty interesting — and I may be behind the curve on this, but it’s something that I think that MarSoc has been wrestling with as well. It’s a call for 32 more MH-60S Knighthawk special operation helicopters. Now the brief shows several options for how to organize those additional aircraft, including the establishment of a two new dedicated Navy special operations aviation squadrons (which makes sense to me since they have SWICCs). The last alternative is to not buy any more helos and just fly 6,400 more flight hours on the ones they have — which doesn’t sound like much of an option.
This time — and a nice confirmation of my sourcing on the first equipping units — its a pic of some Rangers who’d dropped by a NASCAR event this past weekend.
The Joes from 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment were honored at the Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC, among other services over the Memorial Day weekend.
Take a close look at this photo and check out what’s strapped over their shoulders…
…and I dig the guy who collapsed his SCAR’s stock…
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