Replacing Universal Camouflage Pattern With MultiCam

Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) was introduced with the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) in 2004 and, at the time, was expected to be effective in all environments. Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan, however, found that the three-color digital pattern of alpha and foliage green, light brownish grey, and grey-yellow brown was not as effective as it could be in a varied terrain of mountains, desert, and woodland. Testing for a new camouflage pattern began in 2009, with UCP and MultiCam uniforms first compared side-by-side in different environments. MultiCam ranked the most favorably by a test group of soldiers. MultiCam, also called Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP), has since been phasing out UCP in Operation Enduring Freedom and Special Operations units in Afghanistan.

Developed by Crye Associates, MultiCam is a multi-environmental camouflage pattern composed of various brown and green shades more info. A brown to light tan gradient forms the base, and drab green, with pink and dark brown blotches, is dispersed in between. This color combination allows the user to hide in various elevations, seasons, and lights.

The blending effect produced by the green and brown gradients tricks the human eyes' perception of color. An ACU in OCP reflects the surrounding environment by taking an overall green or tan appearance.

MultiCam is only for use in Afghanistan currently, and 72,000 soldiers are expected to have OCP ACUs, with mountain combat boots and MOLLE, by the end of Fiscal Year 11.

The second stage testing involved gathering data based on photographs of six camouflage patterns taken by U.S. Army Infantry Center, PEO Soldier Systems, Natick Labs, Asymmetric Warfare Group, Army Special Operations Command, and U.S. Naval Research Center. Approximately 750 soldiers were asked to judge the photographs of these camouflage patterns, and based on the images, MultiCam was considered to blend best into various backgrounds.

At the end of 2010, the Army announced plans to find a worldwide replacement for UCP. As UCP did not blend in well with the landscape in Afghanistan, the Army wants to find a pattern that provides better concealment in all environments, locations, and conditions. Three types of patterns will be tested: woodland, desert, and transitional camouflage. The Army is presently choosing patterns, such as MARPAT and AOR 1 and 2, and testing is expected to follow.