[Camouflage] L'après Multicam?

[Serge]

et c'est quoi ce point conceptuel...? :-X

C'est ça:

http://www.air-defense.net/forum/index.php/topic,15076.msg480030.html#msg480030

[Babou]

je suis pas sur d'avoir tout compris  :lol:

mais si j'ai bien compris ton explication les US veulent des éléments de transport et de protection camouflés, mais pour que ça aille avec leur futur différents camouflages ils en font font un entre les 3...

[Clairon]

je suis pas sur d'avoir tout compris  :lol:

mais si j'ai bien compris ton explication les US veulent des éléments de transport et de protection camouflés, mais pour que ça aille avec leur futur différents camouflages ils en font font un entre les 3...

Tout compris .... Pour eviter d'avoir à produire 3x fois des accessoires un peu plus cher qu'un futal ou une veste guerilla (GPB, Sac à dos, certains armements, ...)

Clairon

[Serge]

C'est ça.

L'US-Army ayant reconnu que le concept de bariolage universel n'est pas le plus efficace, ils reviennent à une approche plus classique. Celle d'avoir des bariolages dédiés par grandes zones géographique.

La grande différence se fait sur certains matériels qui coutent tellement cher qu'ils ne peuvent les avoir en plusieurs couleurs. Là, ils acceptent un bariolage universel car c'est plus efficace qu'une couleur uni.

Cas de l'USMC:

On voit qu'il y a une perte du camouflage du soldat à cause de la grande surface en Coyote brown.

Beaucoup d'armées font le choix d'un ton neutre lié au pays d'origine comme ici avec le cas finlandais:

http://img180.imageshack.us/i/kantolaitem05isokuva.jpg/

Quand on connait la qualité du M-05, c'est dommage.

Et une fois en zone désertique, on se demande où est la protection que doit fournir le bariolage.

[Serge]

Suite par kit up! de la couverture de la pase-IV:

Roggenwolf and the Camo Summit

by christian on December 7, 2010.

I’m sure many of you are eagerly awaiting the lowdown from this week’s industry day for the Army Phase IV camo program. Well, the good news is that Kit Up! will be attending the event and though we’re restricted on our ability to post from the venue, we’ll get as much gouge up on the site as we can when technology (and security) permits.

But as a preview for the gaggle of potential camo-makers who may or may not be there, a Kit Up! reader tipped me off to an Australian company who’s interested in playing in the updated Army camo game.

Called Roggenwolf, the three patterns being proposed for the Army camo program are an interesting blend of a more curvy version of MultiCam style. The “Jinn” desert pattern, “Ettin” transitional and “Woodwose” woodland/jungle pattern are digital, but highly fractile and soft.

   Developers of military camouflage have always sought to design a single pattern that can work well under a wide range of environmental conditions. Roggenwolf Warg just might be a good solution to the problem.

   Many animals utilise natural camouflage to blend with the colours of their surroundings. One example that comes readily to mind is the chameleon, which is able to change the colours of its skin. However, chameleons constitute only one highly-specialised clade of lizards. Many more animal species survive by utilising cryptic colourations based upon brown. It was with this observation in mind that work began, in November 2008, to develop ‘universal’ palettes based upon the browns so often seen in nature.

For Australian army infantryman Brad Turner made his first Roggenwolf camo proposal back in 2007. He collaborated with the folks from Hyperstealth who we mentioned in the Gore Optifade post (a company that’s played a founding role in digital camo theory).

We’ll see if Turner steps up to the plate in Thursday, and his camo is certainly impressive. Be sure to go through his site and check out the photosimulation tests and the “camo theory” page…some good background as we begin to walk more quickly down this new camo road.

[Serge]

L'US-Army vient d'entamer sa phase-IV par une "journée des industriels du camouflage". Plusieurs médias ont pu couvrir la présentation officielle. Kit Up! ouvre le bal et sera complété par Soldier-Systems.

Le premier point de Kit Up! porte sur l'absence de l'UCP dans le processus d'évaluation des séquences proposées par les industriels:

Army Camouflage Industry Day: No UCP Allowed

by christian on December 10, 2010.

Kit Up! spent the day out at the Army Research Lab in Adelphi, MD, yesterday attending the industry day for the Army’s Phase IV camo program.

The day was marked by very detailed briefings on exactly what the Army is looking for in its new camo uniforms, how they plan to test them and what they expect industry to provide.

We were lucky to have our friends from Soldier Systems Daily also covering the event, and over the next couple days each of us will be trickling out gouge on the program. So be sure to check both sites for updates (it’s too much to try to do in one place)…

I’ll start by saying from the looks of it, the Army is sincere about its search for the best concealment technology for its Soldiers. There is no indication the service is going through the motions, no indication it’s rigged in favor of government patterns and the top program managers argued strenuously with us that they would not allow the final decision to be a simple fashion show.

One measure of the sincerity of the Army’s new camo search is this very interesting fact: The service plans to down select to three civilian-made patterns and two government-designed patterns by the end of next summer. Then those patterns will be tested against a baseline of MultiCam/OCP, MarPat desert+woodland and AOR 1 and AOR 2.

Did you notice what’s not there? UCP…

I asked the PM for Soldier equipment Col. William Cole why this was. “We just thought it wouldn’t be productive to have that in the mix.” In other words, the UCP is so bad, it’s not even worth comparing other patterns to it.

Ouch…

So if there was any evidence more convincing that the Army is prepared to ditch the UCP for an improved family of patterns, I don’t know what it could be. The one big question mark, of course, is will the Army be able to fund the program when it comes up for a final production decision in late

[Tancrède]

L'extrême longueur de leur processus de choix est quand même hallucinante: les coûts impliqués depuis le début de cette histoire, l'opacité assez souvent, sont assez terribles. A se demander si le poids de ce processus n'est pas devenu un handicap en soi qui pourrait même dissuader de ce genre d'investissements, ou de sa fréquence à tout le moins. Fait aggravé par la multiplication par 3 de ce genre de programmes: un par service!

[Serge]

Cette histoire est la parfaite démonstration que chez l'homme, il n'y a pas de linéarité dans le developpement mais une succession de surprises: erreurs, découverte, régression.

Et puis on voit les effets de deux choses: une crise identitaire (je veux mon camouflage) et l'ideolgie. Tout cela dans un domaine des plus empiriques.

[Tancrède]

Disons que la France, qui a en matière de choix de camouflage et uniformes/tenue de combat (et d'importance accordée au sujet), un historique lourd de tous les exemples de ce qu'il ne faut pas faire ou choisir (une seule exception, l'après guerre et le tiger stripes), sait au moins, avec cet exemple US, quel système ne pas copier :lol:. C'est fou comme l'addition d'intelligences et de logiques individuelles/particulières (en fait surtout d'intérêts) produit souvent des masses de connerie collective.

[Philippe Top-Force]

Il ne faut pas surestimer l'importance du camouflage conventionnel, certes utile quand on se camoufle dans la végétation en embuscade, moins quand on marche en terrain découvert.

Même en pantalon rouge, l'analyse des pertes des batailles de 1914 montre que nos pertes n'ont pas été bien plus élevées que ceux dans face.

On peut même penser qu'être bien visible incite l'ennemi à tirer trop tôt dans certains cas (cf les redcoats des britanniques d'il y a 2 siècles).

Qu'est-ce que t'en pense Serge? si l'avenir du camouflage est dans les vêtements électrochromiques(changeant de couleur) et luminescents (produisant donc un effet analogue aux lumières de Yehudi) déjà en démonstration.

De plus, le camouflage moderne doit être multispectral.Cela ne sert à rien de se camoufler dans le visible et être totalement détectable à la caméra thermique généralisée dans les armées modernes.

En tous cas merci Serge, pour toutes ses recherches faîtes sur le déroulement du camo. ;)

[Serge]

Comme annoncé par Kit-Up!, Soldier Systems vient d'éditer un premier article sur la stratégie de l'US-Army en matière de bariolage.

Il y a, dans ce texte, pleins de choses intéressantes:

Some Thoughts on the Army Camo Improvement Industry Day

December 13th, 2010

I attended the Army Camouflage Improvement Industry Day held last week at what was once called Harry Diamond Labs in Adelphi, Maryland. Before I can comment on any of the information presented at the conference, and there was a lot, I feel it is important that I address the underlying issue at hand; the requirement itself.

Overall, is the requirement valid? In my opinion yes, but to a point. The Army should continually assess technologies to reduce the signature of the American Soldier. My issue is with the implementation. The program’s timeline, which I will discuss in more as the week progresses, ends with a plan of action being presented to Army leadership at the end of FY12. This means a decision won’t be made until then at the earliest, with implementation not taking place until well into FY13. The problem with this? We are at war now.

My biggest issue with this program is that the authors of this latest requirement have failed to learn from the past, and worse yet, the recent past. In fact, by working to field multiple specialized patterns, they are repeating failures from THIS war. Prior to the adoption of UCP, the US Army relied upon Woodland and Desert camouflage patterns. All Soldiers were issued Woodland clothing and equipment regardless of posting. The 3-Color Desert pattern was considered specialty equipment and only issued to select personnel based on operational requirements. Unfortunately, during 1991′s Operation Desert Storm many American troops wore Woodland clothing due to the shortage of desert issue. Ten years later, this same situation was repeated during the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom and what’s worse, once again during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Unlike post 9/11 operations, the military had ample time to procure and issue specialized desert clothing and equipment prior to the commencement of hostilities with Iraq, yet they failed to accomplish that task. Consequently, we had troops that wore a combination of desert and woodland clothing while some received no desert issue at all. UCP was envisioned to overcome these issues. One pattern for clothing and equipment so that Soldier’s could deploy at a moment’s notice, anywhere in the world. While the implementation was lacking, there is no need to throw the baby out with the bath water.

I have some relevant experience here. I spent much of my career in the 72-hour contingency business serving in both the Army and Air Force. Even in a unit that issued all deployable personnel desert equipment, September 13th 2001 found me rounding up DCUs and other field equipment for support troops that were not slated to ever go to war. Their specialties were normally accomplished at home station but the unique nature of the burgeoning War on Terror required them to deploy forward. These technicians literally reported for duty that morning with news that they leaving on a flight that evening for an Intermediate Staging Base in the Middle East. Fortunately, we kept ample supplies of OCIE on hand, but this still held up their processing for deployment. Standing in line for uniforms is the last thing you want to do when you are deploying that same day. Make no mistake, had we not had unit stocks of equipment, these men would have deployed in the wrong uniform. So long as we issue specialized patterns, individuals as well as entire units will risk deploying in the wrong uniform.

The Family of Camo Pattern program will produce exactly the same set of circumstances in future conflicts. Soldiers will fight with the equipment they have rather than the equipment they desire. The perfect piece of kit sitting in a warehouse somewhere has zero effect on the outcome of a battle. And really, what’s worse, is that two or even three patterns won’t be enough to truly provide 90% or better camouflage in the world’s disparate environments. A woodland pattern will still have to be a compromise for all woodland or jungle areas. The same holds true for desert. Based on this current requirement, the Army is asking for generic patterns that will work well in some environments and not so great in others. The chance that a Soldier’s camouflage will work against him actually increases based on this requirement. The more specialized patterns the Army develops, the fewer places the Soldier can use them. At the conference, I kept hearing that this is about performance and not a fashion show, but spending money on a camouflage pattern that won’t work most places sounds like a fashion statement to me.

Which brings me to the next point. What makes this issue even worse is that it seems that no one is taking into account the shrinking defense dollar. Purchasing multiple patterns is not cost effective for the standing Army and associated Reserve and Guard force that our country fields. Consider that the Army issues a garrison uniform (ACU) as well as specialized combat apparel (FRACU and ACS). The Basis of Issue for these garments multiplied by the size of the force calls for a uniforms requirement in excess ten of million. And that is just to start. Factor in sustainment and you can see that we just can’t afford multiple patterns.

While dedicated camouflage patterns are fantastic in the environment they are designed for, they work against the Soldier in other environments. As you can see in this graphic shown at the Industry Day conference, the Army has learned that Soldiers in Afghanistan traverse multiple micro environments during a single mission. If the Army adopts dedicated patterns, Soldiers will potentially be safe as houses in one micro environment, but as their mission progresses, their uniform will do the enemy’s work for him, making them stick out like the proverbial sore thumb.

As you may have read in Kit Up!, the Army is not going to include the current Army standard UCP as a baseline in the evaluation phase of the solicitation. Essentially, COL William Cole, PM for Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment said that the 2009 camo study showed that UCP was not an effective pattern. Instead, they are going to baseline results against OCP and what is essentially already a DoD Family of Patterns, MARPAT Woodland and Desert and their cousins AOR 1 and 2 which all share similar geometries.

In 2009, the Army chose MultiCam for use as the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP) based on a rigorous test protocol that will essentially be repeated in this latest search for a Family of Camo Patterns. While testing focused on the Afghanistan theater, candidate patterns were assessed in a variety of micro terrains. In that test, MultiCam proved to be effective 70% or better in EVERY environment it was pitted against. No other pattern reached this mark.

OCP is available now. As a GOTS solution, it has been tested, and is in production. Of all of the multi-terrain or “transitional” patterns available during the last round of testing, it proved to be the most effective. Consequently, the Army adopted it.

In the end, the requirement is there. It is important for industry to put their best foot forward and participate. But, in my opinion, the Soldier is losing out as the can is kicked down the road. Remember, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Let’s field a viable solution now and take our time with the science projects.

-The Editor

[Serge]

C'est la période.

Voici une présentation complète de la méthodologie de la Phase-IV selon Soldier-Systems:

Family of Camo Patterns Solicitation

Let’s start out by revisiting the baseline requirement. The Army’s Phase IV of its camouflage project is seeking a Family of (camo) Patterns (FOP) consisting of woodland, desert and, transitional (sometime called universal) color schemes. Additionally, a pattern for personal equipment (such as body armor, ammo pouches and rucksacks) may be required to work effectively with the other camouflage patterns. The FoP must provide camouflage in the visual, NIR, and SWIR spectrums in each of the respective environments. Each of the individual patterns will not only be evaluated in the environment it was designed for but will also be assessed for its capability into the transitional environment.

Now that we have established that the Army is fully committed to this thing I have to say that they have come up with an excellent plan to determine the best pattern. The Army has developed a plan of action that allows them to look at a rather large number of candidate FoPs and down select to the most promising three commercial and two government FOP quickly. Then, the majority of time dedicated to this undertaking can be used to assess the candidates under more realistic conditions.

It is very important for you to know that the Army is conducting an unprecedented analysis of the Global Military Operating Environment (more on this later). All of the FoPs will be assessed against terrain, climate, and seasonal factors on a global scale rather than isolated environments. This has never happened before. Not by the US. Not by anyone.

The Timeline at a Glance:

15 Jan 2011 – Army releases solicitation

1 Mar 2011 – Solicitation closes

Mar – Apr 2011 – Assessment of camo patterns

May – Jul 2011 – Down select and contract development

1 Aug 2011 – Army awards 3 development contracts (cost plus ~18 months)

Aug – Nov 2011 – Pattern development

Dec 2011 – Jan 2012 – Uniform and OCIE fabrication

Feb – May 2012 – Pattern Evaluation

Jun 2012 – Report development

Aug 2012 – Decision brief to Army leadership

Early FY13 – Army buys something or not

Initially, the schedule feels a bit aggressive but then seems to go on for some time once the final five Family of Patterns are arrived at. Since the latter portions of the timeline are still so far out, they are a bit mushy. Don’t get wrapped around the axle on those dates. A lot can happen between now and then. So don’t freak out in October of 2013 if you don’t have a new uniform.

Once released, vendors will have about 45 days to answer the call. The Army wants vendors to prepare an electronic file (Adobe Photoshop image) for each pattern in their FOP. Additionally, they want what are essentially color samples for each hue in their palette. They will use this info to insert their patterns into several sample background images. These “Picture in Picture” files will be used in a photo simulation study similar to what was used in the 2009 study that chose MultiCam for use in Afghanistan. This is actually a good deal for the vendors as the rectangular images provide a perfect depiction of their patterns and will be inserted into background photos in exactly the same way as any of their competitors. No shadows, or light conditions, or any other variable will affect their patterns as they are evaluated by test participants. Additionally, no one has to print any fabric which helps control risk for potential offerors.

The Army’s plan has one problem, their approach makes it is so easy for a vendor to enter that there are sure to be patterns that simply cannot be printed on fabric. Fortunately, they are limited to only one FoP per vendor so that will weed out some of the window lickers.

The Natick development team will complete exactly the same tasks as commercial vendors. However, as you can see from this slide, the Army is taking measures to ensure that they do not receive an unfair advantage.

Once the three commercial and two government FoPs are selected, the difficult work ensues. Fabric and findings have to be produced and manufactured into test articles. Expect there to be lots of headaches in this Stage if a candidate FoP has not been adequately developed. However, the Army will lend expertise and make sure this happens.

Naturally, at some point you have to look at all of these patterns and collect some data that will allow you to recommend one over another. The graphic below shows several of the tests that the candidates will go through. These include blending tests, probability of detection, and a live Developmental Test with an Operational Test flair. This latter event will put the patterns through their paces with squad size elements pitted against multiple observers from numerous points of view. Another interesting aspect of this testing is that the Army will also assess how long it takes for an observer to reacquire a test subject after he takes cover and comes back into view. During the industry day, there was an indication that they may also assess the pattern’s performance in both dry and wet conditions.

Once all of the data is collected it will be analyzed and turned into a report for the Army leadership. Only then will a decision be made as to which if any of the candidates will become the new Army (and possibly joint) camo. The Army has a lot of decisions to make but if a new FoP is procured, the Army has stated that they want to purchase a license for government use and possible for Foreign Military Sales as well. However, they understand the value of Intellectual Property and currently have no interest in restricting a firm’s ability to market the pattern(s) commercially.

While PEO-Soldier officials did say that a company who wanted to offer a single pattern rather than an entire family could indicate this on their answer to the solicitation, the testing really isn’t set up for this. If you want to be competitive, you are going to have to develop a minimum of three patterns. The reason I say three is that I expect many vendors to use their transitional pattern as their OCIE pattern as well.

Furthermore, one VERY interesting comment from PEO-Soldier was that they were open to picking hybrid solutions. For example, an Arid and Transitional pattern form one candidate FoP and a Woodland solution from yet another based on their performance in testing. When questioned about this decision that seems to fly in the face of the entire concept of an FoP, COL William Cole explained that the Army really is looking for the best solution and wants to have all options on the table. However, he went on to say that he felt what would probably happen is that color palettes might be modified rather than the adoption of an unrelated pattern from another FOP.

Incidentally, these candidate patterns will also be evaluated against a baseline consisting of OCP (MultiCam) and the military’s current Family of Pixelated Patterns; MARPAT Woodland and Desert as well as AOR 1 and 2. I asked COL William Cole and LTC(P) Mike Sloane of PEO-Soldier what would happen if one or more of the baseline patterns outperformed the test candidates and COL Cole replied that the Army would have to acknowledge that fact.

You may notice in all of this two things are missing; Urban and Snow camo. Rest assured, these have not been forgotten but rather are being dealt with in other ways. On another note, the Army doesn’t want to solve the Signature Management challenge if it means anything radical like new clothing or equipment, 3D camo, or major changes in how current clothing is produced. Of course, I always thought the 3D camo idea was half-baked anyway. I mean, how are you going to make sure that the enemy wears those silly glasses all of the time?

I’ve probably missed tons of info, but overall, I’d say that if they are going to do this, they have a pretty good plan. Additionally, it is imperative that the Army take this on. No one has ever compared camouflage patterns to what the world actually looks like on a macro level. Everything up this point has measured performance in isolated areas. In fact, this process looks to be a great model for future Soldier Systems development. A variety of stakeholder organizations participate in the process and the full and open competition includes commercial as well as Government entries.

In closing, I have to say that one of the things I really love about this plan is that the Stage 1 actions will help to save time and money for both vendors as well as the Army as no actual fabric will be printed. And while I have put out a lot of info, since the actual solicitation is still a month out, don’t be surprised if some of the details change slightly. I can tell that the Camo IPT is dedicated to making this work, and with as few hiccups as possible, so as issues arise, they will alter the plan in order to “Git R Done”.

Maintenant, on ne pourra plus dire: "je ne savais pas". Modifié le 27 novembre 2013 par Serge

[Serge]

Pour ceux qui se posent la question: "Et la neige dans tout ça?" Kit-Up! a fait un petit billet sur la question:

Army Overwhites and Other Such Arcticality

by christian on December 15, 2010.

Back when we posted our first story in the Army’s family of patterns industry day, Moondog asked in the conversation that ensued whether the Army had abandoned its ability to fight in an arctic environment by concentrating on this woodland/jungle, desert/arid and transitional environmental camouflage.

Well, one of the industry attendees asked just that question of the Army officials there and basically the answer is “no.”

We’re going to continue with the arctic whites for snow and this effort is really focused on the three [environmental] areas we outlined.

Interestingly, there’s been some buzz around the Marine Corps’ Guy Cramer creations for snow environments that are digital (of course) but mix in a little loden/green in them. Pretty snazzy…

Rumor has it some super secret OGA manhunters and their uniformed friends are snooping around certain snow covered areas looking for bad guys in these duds.

So never fear, Moondog and his ilk: the Army is gonna keep it old school when we have to fight Chosin Mark II.

Pour résumer, c'est pas la priorité.

[Babou]

Pour ceux qui se posent la question: "Et la neige dans tout ça?" Kit-Up! a fait un petit billet sur la question:

Pour résumer, c'est pas la priorité.

et la guerre en antarctique quand on sera tous a sec..? hein..?!! :lol: :lol:

[Serge]

Oui.

Mais les seuls qui s'en préoccupent sont les finlandais (je dirais que ça vient de leurs forêts ou le blanc n'est pas suffisant. (Ils ont même le luxe d'un camouflage hiver). Même les norvégiens et suédois semblent rester au surtout blanc. Comme les Canadiens.

L'USMC a une tenue assez sympa.

[Clairon]

Encore une autre info sur les nouveaux camouflages : la présentation faite par le patron d'Hyperstealth à Bruxelles en Octobre dernier, il s'agit d'un nouveau produit : SmartCamo, capable semble-t-il de s'adapter grace aux principes des nanotechnologies appliqués aux encres et fibres. Après la présentation l'US Army a demandé à Hyperstealth de ne pas rendre la vidéo publique.

L'un des point abordé par G. Cramer (le patron d'Hyperstealth) était également qu'un camouflage n'était pas efficace 24 h sur 24. Ainsi certains patterns désertiques efficaces de jour, se révelènt de véritables "gyrophares" la nuit. Comme contre-exemple le nouveau camo de l'armée Afghane, un woodland digital assez fonçé fut adopté car il était très efficace de nuit, et de plus en plus d'opérations ont lieu de nuit.

Quelques détails : http://www.hyperstealth.com/Brussels/index.html

Maintenant comme le commentaire sur le blog soldiersystems le dit, "A voir", car comme cela c'est semble-t-il la solution miracle parfaite, un camo qui fait tout, mais les miracles sont souvent de gros flops sur le terrain ...

Clairon

[raf56]

L'USAF s'y met aussi

http://rpdefense.over-blog.com/article-u-s-air-force-to-issue-new-camouflage-uniforms-to-deployers-65966372.html

[Serge]

Comme nous le savons, le programme d'adoption d'un nouveau camouflage progresse. Voici la présentation d'un finaliste:

ADS Unveils Army Camouflage Finalist Patterns

We just received the following information from ADS regarding their US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort finalist patterns developed in conjunction with Guy Cramer. As you know from reading SSD, they submitted two pattern families named Alpha and Delta. We previously broke the story on the Delta patterns during SHOT Show. Interestingly, the cleaner Alpha pattern (seen here) outperformed the Delta variants during the Army’s Picture-in-Picture down-select process. Here are the first images and descriptions of the patterns released to the public. While these images are simulated, meaning the pattern has been superimposed on an ACU coat and an armor vest, they do give you a great idea of how the environmental-specific patterns will work with their OCIE pattern.

About the Army Family of Camouflage Program and US4CES™ Version-A

ADS, and partner Guy Cramer, is part of the down-select to participate in the development of a new family of camouflage patterns for the U.S. Army that are effective across myriad environments. ADS and Cramer submitted two families of patterns, US4CES™ Version-A and Version-D, with US4CES™ Version-A being selected.

The current effort, now in Phase IV and managed by PEO Soldier, is a rigorous technical evaluation backed by solid scientific analysis and critical Soldier input from the field. With the U.S. Government concluding that one color scheme for all environments with the Army Combat Uniform was too much of a compromise; they recognized the need for specific color schemes for each key environment to provide a more effective camouflage. The Army requirement is to find one pattern configuration with separate colors for Woodland, Arid (Desert) and Transitional environments. In addition, the Army is also interested in a potential fourth pattern for Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment (OCIE) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which is meant to work with the three other patterns.

US4CES™Version-A (Alpha) and Version-D (Delta) were designed specifically for the U.S. Army “Family of Camouflage Program”. These Digital Textured Patterns feature the latest advances in camouflage research for reduced signature and enhanced survivability.

While US4CES™ Version-D did not make the U.S. Army’s final Phase IV testing, the only difference between the Version-A and Version-D is the feathering of the four colors within Version-D, otherwise the two families are identical – including the colors used.

Why Digital?

Advanced Camouflage research first lead to the square pixel pattern “CADPAT” being issued by Canadian Forces in the late 1990’s. Later, objective studies conducted by the U.S. Military concluded that a digital pattern, when applied correctly, reduces detectability by nearly 50% when compared to more traditional “Analog Shaped” 3-color NATO patterns and un-patterned targets. MARPAT (the U.S. Marine Corps Pattern) is a direct copy of CADPAT, recolored with permission from the Canadian Government. Current Digital Patterns such as MARPAT and CADPAT use square and rectangular pixels but the small size of both the larger Macropattern (Spatial Frequency – blotches) and Micropattern (pixels) in these two patterns tend to blend into one color at tactical combat distances.

Digital patterns outperform analog (non-pixelated) shapes because they are superior at re-creating natural fractals (geometric shapes found in nature) which the brain interprets as background noise. Digital patterns also generate advanced Micro- and Macropatterns, providing the optimum breakup of the human form at multiple distances, in multiple environments.

Fractals could be represented by analog shapes, but this crosses boundaries that approach complete mimicry. Complete mimicry works in very specific environments that are identical to what is being mimicked but provides an extremely limiting range of functionality. Mimicry patterns look out of place in anything but the environment it was designed to operate in whereas a fractal digital pixel pattern has been refined to not only work across multiple backgrounds but also disrupt the human shape and human movement even when the pattern may not blend in completely across a particular environment by preventing the brain from detecting and recognizing a shape.

How US4CES™ Works

Colorations: Predominant colors make up the majority of the pattern – Woodland features a high percentage of Olive Drab and Light Brown. Arid uses Khaki and Coyote as the main colors while Transitional features Olive and Golden Tan. The predominant colors are then contrasted with a darker color of the region to allow the pattern to break up. A smaller percentage of the color spectrum is used for a lighter shade which is perceived as natural reflections or gaps in the pattern and the darkest shade which is perceived as shadows or holes in the pattern.

Both the lightest areas and darkest areas use a large pixel (square) Macropattern format that has proven to be quite effective. This Macropattern also has a smaller fractal Micropattern of its own with smaller square pixels which are present around the borders of the large squares.

3-Dimensional Layering: Proprietary algorithms were used to create a boundary luminance gradient between colors, creating an illusion of 3-dimensional layering, while limiting the design to four colors. This added feature creates the illusion of depth, which the brain interprets not as a solid flat surface but rather as a textured surface with depth, tricking the brain into regarding the material as part of the natural environment.

Disrupting Shape and Masking Movement: The Macropattern is designed to disrupt the human shape as well as to mask movement. Key points within the pattern disrupt the pivot points of the limbs and torso making detection and identification very difficult.

Fractal Algorithms: Intrinsic to the technology behind US4CES™ is our proprietary fractal algorithm. Fractal algorithms duplicate natural fractals (geometric shapes found in nature). Developing camouflage without fractals leaves a critical component out of the design process. The brain interprets fractals as background noise and typically ignores the pattern as common to the environment (not worth further scrutiny), allowing a soldier wearing the camouflage a few extra precious seconds of time in concealment or to react to an adversary.

How US4CES™ Performs

ADS conducted internal objective testing before submitting US4CES™ to the Army and concluded the Transitional-A pattern exceeds the U.S. Navy’s AOR-2 pattern by 19.86% and OEF/OCP (MultiCam®) by 26.71% within transitional environments.

In addition, the Army concluded that US4CES™ Arid Version-D met and/or exceeded the baseline patterns within that environment but the feathering technique has been shown in this recent Army testing to degrade the overall performance in transitional and woodland environments.

Early response has shown US4CES Version-A to be highly effective in Objective and Subjective testing. And, while the point of camouflage is tactical effectiveness – not aesthetic appearance, US4CES Version-A presents a professional and progressive look for a modern Army. The pattern is crisp and clean, without the cluttered or overly stimulating feel of previous digital patterns.

Where to find US4CES™ Family of Camouflage

Not yet for sale, but part of formal Army testing, it might be difficult to get your hands on clothing and gear made from US4CES Family of Camouflage for a while. Soon, however, ADS reps will have complete sets of Army Combat Uniforms in US4CES Arid, Transitional, and Woodland, as well as gear in OCIE/PPE patterns. To see these patterns, reach out to your ADS representative today.

http://soldiersystems.net/2012/02/14/ads-unveils-army-camouflage-finalist-patterns/#more-35075

[Connorfra]

Comme nous le savons, le programme d'adoption d'un nouveau camouflage progresse. Voici la présentation d'un finaliste:http://soldiersystems.net/2012/02/14/ads-unveils-army-camouflage-finalist-patterns/#more-35075

Voial un set complet qui me plait bien avec le camouflage transitionnelle bien pratique c'est tout du bon, au placard l'UCP

[Serge]

Le transitionnel n'est pas propre à la proposition ADS.

Ce type de séquence est demandée par l'US Army pour avoir un ensemble camouflant cohérent à coût contenue.

[Connorfra]

Le transitionnel n'est pas propre à la proposition ADS.

Ce type de séquence est demandée par l'US Army pour avoir un ensemble camouflant cohérent à coût contenue.

oui j'avais cru comprendre pour éviter de se retrouver dans des situations semblables à l'IraK en 2003 ou la Somalie en 93 avec des mecs camouflés désert mais avec des gilets par-balles camouflage foret cassant tous l’intérêt du camouflage, c'est pour sa que les marines on des gilets unis en coyote brown pouvant passer un peu partout.

[S-37 Berkut]

Je sais pas, je ne suis pas convaincu par ces bariolages, j'ai peur qu'ils soient trop sombre pour les zones hurbaines et que le problème de l'AOR II ne resurgisse durant les testes sur le terrain. En tout cas, merci Serge pour ces précieuses informations.

[Connorfra]

Je sais pas, je ne suis pas convaincu par ces bariolages, j'ai peur qu'ils soient trop sombre pour les zones hurbaines et que le problème de l'AOR II ne resurgisse durant les testes sur le terrain. En tout cas, merci Serge pour ces précieuses informations.

Peut être conservation de l'ucp en milieux urbain c'est possible (garder juste les vestes et pantalon pas les par-balles) ou encore faire comme les marines camouflage désert en Urbains les camouflages désert digital se prétend pas trop mal a cette exercice tant qu’on est pas sur le bitume.

Comme il est marqué plus haut la composante Urbaine et neige seront traitée à part, ses uniformes sont destiné au camouflage en pleine nature Alors que L'Ucp et un très bon camouflage Urbain et pourrait resortir comme tels comme chez les seal (AOR1 et 2, multicam en A-stan et vue avec de L'ucp dans les villes Irakiennes.)

[Serge]

Si un nouveau camouflage est adopté, ce qui n'est pas encore fait (il peut y avoir des surprises), l'UCP va définitivement disparaitre.

Selon le nouveau concept, les équipements de portage, vêtements intempéries et accessoires seront fabriqués en couleur Transitional/Badland. Les vêtements le seront en couleur dédiées au théâtre.

Les milieux urbains et neigeux posent des problèmes particuliers. Pour la ville, celle-ci n'est pas homogène. Il existe de très grands nombres de villes différentes. Il n'est pas possible d'avoir recours à un camouflage unique.

La solution ici porte plus sur des lots de surtouts camouflants comme le font les israéliens par exemple.

Pour la neige, même chose mais à cause du paramètre météo qui change tout.

[Connorfra]

Si un nouveau camouflage est adopté, ce qui n'est pas encore fait (il peut y avoir des surprises), l'UCP va définitivement disparaitre.

Selon le nouveau concept, les équipements de portage, vêtements intempéries et accessoires seront fabriqués en couleur Transitional/Badland. Les vêtements le seront en couleur dédiées au théâtre.

Les milieux urbains et neigeux posent des problèmes particuliers. Pour la ville, celle-ci n'est pas homogène. Il existe de très grands nombres de villes différentes. Il n'est pas possible d'avoir recours à un camouflage unique.

La solution ici porte plus sur des lots de surtouts camouflants comme le font les israéliens par exemple.

Pour la neige, même chose mais à cause du paramètre météo qui change tout.

Ok merci pour les info  ;)