New ACU Digital Universal Cam?!?

Question

What's supposed so effective about the new Digital Camo the U.S. Army is wearing?
For example why didn't they just stick with the Desert Camo?
I don't think the grey/green shades that the new acu's have, blend into the desert too good!

Answer 1

To save money.

The crap sticks out anywhere. The only place I have seen it be effective is when abunch of solders are standing in front of a gray cinder block wall.

Answer 2

The ACU isn't supposed to be the perfect solution in a specific environment but is supposed to be okay in all of them like:
Desert
Woodland
Mountain
Urban
Jungle
etc.

The average soldier, according to the Army, doesn't need to rely on camouflage as much anymore because fire and movement seem to be a more effective means of combat. the digital design would help break up the silhouette of an arm or leg sticking out over a corner when fire and movement is being used.
When the occupation role kicks in a Soldier is supposed to make their presence known so again the use of an overly effective camo pattern isn't really necessary. Special Forces and snipers use their own camo depending on mission and can turn down the ACU in favor of another pattern.

This helps logistics also because it has been seen that sometimes troops would deploy with the DCU (desert combat uniform) for desert combat but be given body armor that is in thw woodland pattern, pretty much ruining the camouflage effectiveness of the DCU.

There of course is always critisism when a new uniform coming around, there is some praise, some scorn and some kinks to work out but like it or not the ACU is goint to stay.

Answer 3

My experience is that the new ACU pattern is very effective in the desert. You have to understand that very very few deserts lack vegetation all together. Most have shrubs, sage and weeds in them. The ACU patter was developed by MIT and it plays on the human eye's natural and automatic filtering of unnecessary information. For example, in a desert environment, the eye picks up the tan tones. In a forest, the green is most prominent, and in an urban setting, the uniform looks Grey.

One smart move was to eliminate black. Black almost never appears in nature and draws the eye to movement as it create definite lines. The USMC MARPAT and old BDU both suffer from this.

Lastly, the ACU color scheme also pays on the "hazing" affect that occurs outdoors. That is, particulate matter such as dust, moisture, etc cause the air to not be totally transparent and create a haze a long distances. The ACU colors are soft and blend into the "haze" as well.

I was skeptical at first, but I've now done exercises at Ft Irwin (desert), Lewis (forest) and Yakima (mix) with the new uniform and it is way better than the old DCU's and BDU's in my experience.

Answer 4

Most fighting is to start out at night and by morning the U.S. military is suppose to have the upper hand. Supposedly the camo is suppose to scramble night vision gear and make the soldiers look all "twinkly." Once a person knows what they are looking for, you can easily spot small camouflaged animals from a couple hundred yards away or more. Something man sized is going to stand out under most circumstances no matter what is done.

Answer 5

i think of that camo types for the main area are camo types. in my view i think of the best looking from a style attitude is the old US Viet Nam Tiger Stripe, or the Rhodesian Camo development.

Answer 6

They make great looking jammies.

Military uniform are STARCHED & IRONED, not hanging like a burlap sack.
I don't know of a way to make a uniform look more UNPROFESSIONAL!!

Answer 7

i personally dont like them. i dont think they blend, either. and the tan boots? wtf? the desert camo was a hell of a lot better and i really wished they would have stuck with it