At some point in the fairly recent past, it seems that camouflage changed from rounded splotches of color to a “pixellated” look - lots of tiny blocks making up the different colors.
Why?
This computer generated pattern was found to be damn near impossible to see in the woods. I say this based on experience playing paintball in the woods with a bunch of friends in both types.
My bet is that it either saves money to produce (less likely) or that it’s more effective at its intended purpose (more likely).
I still find it strange that the pattern would have pixels with straight edges and right angles. Wouldn’t they start with that pattern, and then break up the edges somehow?
I’m by no means an expert in camouflage, but your second bet is correct. It appears to have first been used by the Canadian military, as the CADPAT in 2002, followed soon by the US Marines in 2003 with their MARPAT.
There appears to have been a fair amount of research that went into designing those patterns.
I saw a modern marvels on Camo a few years back and they said that the pixilated camo is much harder to spot then the old style.
The straight line thing works for zebras.
My rudimentary understanding of visual perception tells me that the digital look works better because it provides more individual pieces. We identify things as cohesive wholes based on edges and contrast. Outlines help us define something as whole and unitary. The big blotches on old camo provided larger units, while the pixellation of the digital pattern provides so many edges that we think it must only be lots of different crap rather than one marine.
That’s my unqualified guess, anyway.
A lot of good our camouflage is doing us. Instead of MARPAT they should just give the Marines surplus Iraqi uniforms, and make them grow mustaches and dye their hair.
Zebras aren’t really trying to blend in with the background, they’re trying to blend into a group of zebras.
As for the pixels, if you’re close enough to see the straight edge on the side of a tiny pixel you’re gonna see the guy anyway.
Assuming hasn’t already shot you.
They’re only right angles and hard edges when the clothes are unworn, outstretched, and aligned. In real use there’s plenty of bunching at joints, and shadows, to break the pattern’s straight edges up.
Presumably for the same reason that naval vessels are sometimes painted in dazzle camouflage - it breaks up the outline of the camouflagee.
Patterns like these are designed to foil night vision and other electronic devices.
One early example is the Soviet KLMK pattern, see also the Night Desert pattern used by the US in the 90s.
Actually, it is a little known fact that the military is adapting dazzle camo to individuals. Here is a rare photo.
All I see is a bunch of tropical trees. What does that have to do with human camo?
This page has an article on the science behind current camo technology. Most telling is a picture on the right that shows swatches of fabric with the digital camo, classic woodland camo, and OD cloth stretched out in front of some woods.
The MARPAT is essentially invisible.
The Army changed the uniform to ACUs for various reasons. The digital pattern was supposed to be better than the old patterns. The colors of the uniform are supposed to be equally effective in woodland and desert conditions. That eliminates the need to issue multiple types of uniforms. The pockets and other additions are supposed to make them easier to use while wearing body armor. In practice, to my unscientific eye, the colors are a compromise between desert and woodland and are not as effective in either. The Marines still use woodland and desert uniforms. The pockets, pen holders, velco closures do work well under body armor and in general it is a good design. However I don’t think the ACU is as hardy as the old BDUs. They tend to fall apart quicker.
(looks down at self, resplendent in CADPAT bling-bling)
I understand that it is also undetectable under infra-red - which is why the newer versions have button-cover flaps.
I also know that this fabric is protected - you need to have special permission to actually make anything from CADPAT.
I think it makes me look kind of fat - not like the old OD (matched my eyes).
Oh well. Progress.
These guys look like they are wearing WWII uniforms-why?
The Israelis use camoflage.
I’m not sure what copyright protections are on the US army ACU pattern but I know the Marines are very protective. If you look very closely at the MARPAT you will see little EGAs (Eagle, Globe, Anchor) throughout the pattern.