New CADPAT design being tested
By Lookout on Sep 20, 2019 with Comments 0
Eric De Lafontaine, Manager Soldier Operational Clothing and Equipment Modernization, DSSPM ~
More than 600 soldiers at 4 Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa will test a new Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) to help select replacement camouflage for the current iconic woodland and arid CADPAT patterns.
The original distinctive CADPAT, revolutionary for its time, was initially developed in 1997. It is most closely associated with the Canadian Army, but it is also worn by airforce and naval personnel when they work on land.
Canadian Special Operations Forces personnel wear another pattern, MultiCam, which is not being replaced.
Since CADPAT was issued, there have been several advances made in camouflage research, specifically protection from detection by infra-red and other night vision systems.
Starting at the end of September, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment will begin wearing coats and trousers, shell fragmentation protective body armor, bush caps, helmet covers and rank patches in the “Prototype J” mid-spectrum pattern.
This new four-colour pattern falls in the middle of the camouflage spectrum, not overly emphasizing brown or green tones.
While there have been over a dozen patterns tested, this is the first pattern to be taken out of a lab and tested using real soldiers who are undergoing rigorous training for overseas operations. There will likely be adjustments made to the pattern resulting from this trial.
The trial will last until July 2020. During this time, the Human Factors Support Cell from the Soldier Systems Directorate within Director General Land Equipment Program Management will seek user feedback about the “Prototype J” pattern by conducting large-scale questionnaires.
The team will also conduct data collection, focus groups, and 3D body scanning to define how the current operational uniform and personal equipment can be improved.
This study will also include seeking out soldiers of smaller stature, including but not exclusively women, to ensure that the next generation of clothing and equipment fit the widest variety of soldiers possible.
The Soldier Operational Clothing and Equipment Modernization project, led by the Canadian Army Director of Land Requirements, in cooperation with Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) and Defence Research and Development Canada, has been working for over two years on harnessing technological advances to improve the functionality of Canadian Armed Forces operational uniforms and equipment.
The goal is operational clothing and equipment that protect and fit better while lightening the load carried by soldiers.
Transitioning to a single pattern from the current temperate woodland (green), and arid (tan) will also create efficiencies in terms of logistics.
With the final decision expected no later than 2022 and a full roll out 2027, the interim years will see mixed uniforms and equipment as items in the new pattern are gradually acquired and put into service.
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