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    MARPAT (United States)

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    Join date : 2010-01-09

    MARPAT (United States) Empty MARPAT (United States)

    Post by Admin Sat Jan 16, 2010 4:33 pm

    (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY ANDREWA74)

    MARPAT (short for MARine PATtern) is a pixelated camouflage pattern in use by the United States Marine Corps, introduced with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU), which replaced the Camouflage Utility Uniform. The pattern is formed by a number of small rectangular pixels of color. In theory, it is a far more effective camouflage than standard uniform patterns because it mimics the dappled textures and rough boundaries found in natural settings. This is caused by how the human eye interacts with pixelated images. It is also known as the "digital pattern" or "digi-cammies" because of its micropattern (pixels) rather than the old macropattern (big blobs).

    The United States Marine Corps has patented MARPAT, including specifics of its manufacture. By regulation, the pattern and items incorporating it, such as the MCCUU and ILBE backpack, are to be supplied by authorized manufacturers only and are not for general commercial sale, although imitations are available such as "Digital Woodland Camo" or "Digital Desert Camo".

    Despite being developed as military camouflage it would seem to be just as important in identifying US troops to their enemies rather than remaining concealed. This was demonstrated by a Marines Spokesman who when MARPAT was launched said, "We want to be instantly recognised as a force to be reckoned with. We want them to see us coming a mile away in our new uniforms."

    The concept of using miniature swatches of color as opposed to large splotches is not new; in World War II, German troops used various patterns similar to the current German Flecktarn, which involved similar small dabs of color on a uniform to provide camouflage.

    The USMC design team in charge of this process went through over 150 different camo patterns before selecting 3 samples that met their initial objectives. These were two versions of Tiger stripes and an older design of British DPM that used colors from Rhodesia. The influence of the Tiger stripes can still be seen in the final MARPAT. These 3 samples were then reconstructed using new shapes and unique colour blends that would allow a more effective uniform in a great range of environments.

    The new patterns were then field tested in different environments, day and night, with night vision and various optics. MARPAT did exceptionally well in their wet uniform test when viewed with night vision while illuminated with IR, where normally patterns appear as a solid.

    The MARPAT patent lists U.S. Army research into fractal pattern camouflage as the basis for MARPAT.

    The MARPAT pattern was chosen in a run-off against seven other patterns at the USMC Scout Sniper Instructor School.

    MARPAT uniforms were introduced in Early 2003, however the majority of Marine units were issued only the helmet covers at the beginning of the 2003 Iraq War.

    MARPAT has patterns produced by highly complex fractal equations that result in a non-repeating pattern. The purpose of the digitized pattern is to match the visual texture of typical backgrounds. When compared to a white background the MARPAT does look surprising and would seem to catch attention, but when used in an operative environment, its textured appearance and lack of hard edges make it more effective than traditional patterns.

    There were initially three MARPAT patterns: Woodland, Desert, and Urban. Currently, only the Woodland and Desert patterns are used by the Marine Corps, replacing the U.S. Woodland pattern and the U.S. Three Color Desert pattern. The Urban pattern was not approved for use. A snow pattern has also emerged on cold weather training over-garments.

    Authentic MARPAT material is distinguishable by an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem incorporated into the pattern, in both the Woodland and Desert patterns.

    MARPAT is similar to the Canadian Forces CADPAT which was the first digital pattern introduced for uniforms.

    The U.S. Army has incorporated its digital Universal Camouflage Pattern into the Army Combat Uniform (ACU). The ACU's pattern differs most notably because its color scheme is tan and gray and lacks the color black.

    The U.S. Air Force has designed its own Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) using a standard Tiger Stripe pattern and slight variation on the color scheme of ACU.

    The U.S. Navy recently announced approval for a digital "BDU-style" work uniform, effective late 2008. However, the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) was chosen by surveyed sailors for consistency and longer life, rather than to disguise them at sea.

    Woodland
    MARPAT (United States) MARPAT_woodland_pattern
    Desert
    MARPAT (United States) MARPAT_desert_pattern
    Woodland Experimental (2002)
    MARPAT (United States) Marpat_wood
    Desert Experimental (2002)
    MARPAT (United States) Marpat_du

    From Wikipedia

    Snow
    MARPAT (United States) Snow_m10
    (PHOTO FROM PHILIP'S COLLECTION)

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