CADPAT
Encyclopedia
Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) is the computer-generated digital camouflage
pattern currently used by the Canadian Forces
(CF). CADPAT is designed to reduce the likelihood of detection by night vision devices. The basic uniform consists of a wide brim combat hat, helmet cover, shirt, jacket, trousers, fragmentation vest and Tacvest. It was the first digital pattern introduced in the Canadian forces. The pattern was copyrighted upon its introduction.
in 2002, with the Air Force
following suit in 2004. Uniforms and equipment in CADPAT material replaced the olive green material in use since the early 1960s.
Some civilian firms are licensed to sell clothing and accessories using CADPAT-like material (though not the same IR
-defeating type used by the CF), as long as the patterns do not match official CF uniform and equipment patterns. These are commercially available from a wide variety of sources.
helmet then coming into service. At the same time, the pattern was also introduced on a new Soldier's Individual Camouflage Net. The CADPAT TW uniform allows Canadian soldiers protection from observation by the naked eye and night vision devices.
based at CFB Suffield
(DRDC-S) has a requirement to develop a new urban pattern for the Canadian Forces based on the three major metropolitan areas of Canada: Toronto
, Vancouver
, and Montreal
. This new pattern is known as the Canadian Urban Environment Pattern (CUEPAT).
According to the Advance Contract Award Notice, "The current CBR [chemical, biological and radiological] individual protective equipment (IPE) used by the Canadian military is provided in a woodland [CADPAT TW] or desert [CADPAT AR] camouflage. A camouflage suited to the Canadian urban environment is required when the military operates in urban terrain."
It has been proposed that CUEPAT could also be used on the standard combat uniform for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service
(which is presently using the American Army Combat Uniform
) or the Canadian Special Operations Forces
. Some even suggested it could replace CADPAT TW as the default pattern for Navy
and even Air Force
personnel wearing the standard combat uniform or the Navy's boarding party uniform (which is presently blue or tan). This suggestion is supported by the fact that grey is neutral and is also the basic colour of ships and airport aprons
(although little is known about the new pattern, grey is the basic colour of most urban camouflage
and is expected to be CUEPAT's basic colour). Green is also traditionally associated with the Army
and rarely with the Navy or Air Force, which might become a source of confusion. Navy personnel wear a Navy Combat Dress
when aboard a ship or on a naval base, CADPAT TW combat uniforms being worn only when operating with the Army or Air Force (especially the "Purple Trades
").
and colors, and are ongoing. Cadpat footwear based on the Mark IV boot is now on trial by 1 Canadian Field Hospital, in CFB Petawawa, Ontario as well as select soldiers on course within the PPCLI.
The Fighting Order includes the Tactical Vest and the Fragmentation Protective Vest which was designed to provide the basic requirement of equipment immediately available for combat.
The pattern of the ICU will remain the same, and the CADPAT pattern will not be altered. In addition to the uniform modifications, DND has decided to adopt a different style of boots, similar to those currently in use in overseas operations. These improved boots will be brown or tan in color and consist of a suede material, versus the traditional black leather. The new boot design allows for improved air circulation, lighter boot, and the new color is more relevant to current operational situations.
The Department of National Defence estimates the production rate would be about 24,000 ICU uniforms per year. The decision to change the combat uniform is mostly due to problems with drying and it offers poor integration with Operational equipment. The other reason is the loss of color after only one year of use.
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
pattern currently used by the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
(CF). CADPAT is designed to reduce the likelihood of detection by night vision devices. The basic uniform consists of a wide brim combat hat, helmet cover, shirt, jacket, trousers, fragmentation vest and Tacvest. It was the first digital pattern introduced in the Canadian forces. The pattern was copyrighted upon its introduction.
Background
Canada's desire for a Soldier Systems dates back to November 1988 and closely follows efforts in many NATO countries. The first research effort, called Integrated Protective Clothing and Equipment (IPCE) Technology Demonstration was initiated in 1995 but then was cancelled, due to high systems cost and failure to meet the majority of the requirements. Ongoing operations in the mid 1990s, lead to the creation of the Clothe the Soldier (CTS) Project which directly addressed the NATO Soldier System Capability areas of Survivability and Sustainability. The Canadian Disruptive Pattern was a part of ongoing research and implemented during the Clothe Soldier Project (CTS).Pattern variations
In development for the better part of a decade, the pattern comes in three varieties: Temperate Woodland (TW), Arid Region (AR), and Winter/Arctic (WA). The temperate woodland pattern became the standard issue for the ArmyCanadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
in 2002, with the Air Force
Canadian Forces Air Command
The Royal Canadian Air Force , formerly Canadian Forces Air Command, is one of three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
following suit in 2004. Uniforms and equipment in CADPAT material replaced the olive green material in use since the early 1960s.
Some civilian firms are licensed to sell clothing and accessories using CADPAT-like material (though not the same IR
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
-defeating type used by the CF), as long as the patterns do not match official CF uniform and equipment patterns. These are commercially available from a wide variety of sources.
Temperate woodland
CADPAT TW has four specific colours — light green, dark green, brown, and black — and was first introduced in 1996 on the helmet cover for the new CG634CG634
The CG634 are the Canadian Forces' main combat helmet. Introduced in 1997 and based on the French SPECTRA helmet.-History:The Canadian military sought a replacement for the steel M1 Helmet in the 1980s. It trialled the American PASGT and the related French SPECTRA helmets, before deciding to adopt...
helmet then coming into service. At the same time, the pattern was also introduced on a new Soldier's Individual Camouflage Net. The CADPAT TW uniform allows Canadian soldiers protection from observation by the naked eye and night vision devices.
Arid regions
Concurrent with the trials of CADPAT TW, work was carried out to identify a uniform for operations in desert, near desert, and savannah environmental conditions. This three-colour pattern, known as CADPAT Arid Regions (AR), incorporates three different colours of brown. The CADPAT design for Arid Regions has been approved and the transfer of this digital technology is ongoing to the textiles industry, CADPAT AR also features two additional arm pockets and Velcro on the arms compared to the TW uniform. In light of the deployment of the Immediate Reaction Force to Afghanistan, the CADPAT AR project was expedited with the intent that it would be issued to soldiers in summer 2002.Winter/Arctic
Introduced as an upgrade to the current monochrome winter whites to further enhance the Canadian soldier's camouflage capability by day and night. Includes Near Infra-red (NIR) technology.Urban
Defence Research and Development CanadaDefence Research and Development Canada
Defence Research and Development Canada, also Defence R&D Canada or DRDC , is an agency of the Department of National Defence , whose purpose is to respond to the scientific and technological needs of the Canadian Forces...
based at CFB Suffield
CFB Suffield
Canadian Forces Base Suffield , is the largest Canadian Forces Base and the largest Commonwealth military training base in the world...
(DRDC-S) has a requirement to develop a new urban pattern for the Canadian Forces based on the three major metropolitan areas of Canada: Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. This new pattern is known as the Canadian Urban Environment Pattern (CUEPAT).
According to the Advance Contract Award Notice, "The current CBR [chemical, biological and radiological] individual protective equipment (IPE) used by the Canadian military is provided in a woodland [CADPAT TW] or desert [CADPAT AR] camouflage. A camouflage suited to the Canadian urban environment is required when the military operates in urban terrain."
It has been proposed that CUEPAT could also be used on the standard combat uniform for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service is Canada's national intelligence service. It is responsible for collecting, analyzing, reporting and disseminating intelligence on threats to Canada's national security, and conducting operations, covert and overt, within Canada and abroad.Its...
(which is presently using the American Army Combat Uniform
Army Combat Uniform
The Army Combat Uniform is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army. It is the successor to the Battle Dress Uniform and Desert Camouflage Uniform worn during the 1980s and 1990s. It features a number of design changes, as well as a different camouflage pattern from its...
) or the Canadian Special Operations Forces
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command , is a command of the Canadian Forces...
. Some even suggested it could replace CADPAT TW as the default pattern for Navy
Canadian Forces Maritime Command
The Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
and even Air Force
Canadian Forces Air Command
The Royal Canadian Air Force , formerly Canadian Forces Air Command, is one of three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
personnel wearing the standard combat uniform or the Navy's boarding party uniform (which is presently blue or tan). This suggestion is supported by the fact that grey is neutral and is also the basic colour of ships and airport aprons
Airport ramp
The airport ramp or apron is part of an airport. It is usually the area where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled or boarded. Although the use of the apron is covered by regulations, such as lighting on vehicles, it is typically more accessible to users than the runway or taxiway...
(although little is known about the new pattern, grey is the basic colour of most urban camouflage
Military camouflage
Military camouflage is one of many means of deceiving an enemy. In practice, it is the application of colour and materials to battledress and military equipment to conceal them from visual observation. The French slang word camouflage came into common English usage during World War I when the...
and is expected to be CUEPAT's basic colour). Green is also traditionally associated with the Army
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
and rarely with the Navy or Air Force, which might become a source of confusion. Navy personnel wear a Navy Combat Dress
Uniforms of the Canadian Navy
The Canadian Forces introduced the Distinct Environmental Uniform in the late 1980s. Members of the naval, air, and land forces received uniforms distinctive to their service or "environment"...
when aboard a ship or on a naval base, CADPAT TW combat uniforms being worn only when operating with the Army or Air Force (especially the "Purple Trades
Uniforms of the Canadian Forces
The Uniforms of the Canadian Forces are the official dress worn by members of Canada's military while on duty.Prior to unification in 1968, the uniforms of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force were similar to their counterparts in the forces of the United Kingdom...
").
Boots
The Canadian Forces were working on a new combat boot made with the CADPAT pattern. There was some negative feedback from Canadian soldiers, and due to this, the Canadian Forces is reviewing the requirement for the CADPAT print boots, and the newest issue General Purpose (GP) boots - similar to the outgoing Mark III boots, are black. Various trials on boots are GORE-TEXGore-Tex
Gore-Tex is a waterproof/breathable fabric, and a registered trademark of W. L. Gore and Associates. It was co-invented by Wilbert L. Gore, Rowena Taylor, and Gore's son, Robert W. Gore. Robert Gore was granted on April 27, 1976, for a porous form of polytetrafluoroethylene with a...
and colors, and are ongoing. Cadpat footwear based on the Mark IV boot is now on trial by 1 Canadian Field Hospital, in CFB Petawawa, Ontario as well as select soldiers on course within the PPCLI.
Rainsuit
The Converger CADPAT Rainsuit (CCR) is a combat clothing systems equipped with a Waterproof, Moisture Vapour Permeable (WMVP) intended to provides protection from the wind and rain. The CCR is available in two variants, the CADPAT TW and CADPAT AR.Rucksack
The CTS Rucksack is a fielding Rucksack which was designed to provide soldiers the equipments needed in three variants. The CTS Rucksack is available in two different colors.Fighting Order
Battle Order
The Battle Order is a fighting order which was designed to support a soldier in combat zone during a period of 72 hours.Marching Order
The Marching Order is a battle order Rucksack designed to provide the necessary equipments to support a soldier in combat zone during a indefinite period of time.Fading
The early CADPAT uniforms tended to fade easily if washed in warm or hot water. Generally after 3-5 loads on a hot water setting, it would noticeably fade. Newer generations of the CADPAT uniform have improved to reduce fading, which has had poor reception among troops, as the faded uniforms tended to blend in better than their non-faded variants.Improved Combat Uniform
The Canadian Forces will receive a new CADPAT uniform from 2012. The new uniform known as "Improved Combat Uniform" or ICU, will receive 17 enhancements including :- Mandarin collarMandarin collarA mandarin collar is a short unfolded stand-up collar style on a shirt or jacket. Mandarin collars start at the neckline and typically rise vertically two to five centimeters. The style originated from Western interpretation of dresses worn by Mandarins in Imperial China.The length along a...
- Integrated kneepads
- Velcro attachment on sleeve cuffs
- Flat Chest Pockets
The pattern of the ICU will remain the same, and the CADPAT pattern will not be altered. In addition to the uniform modifications, DND has decided to adopt a different style of boots, similar to those currently in use in overseas operations. These improved boots will be brown or tan in color and consist of a suede material, versus the traditional black leather. The new boot design allows for improved air circulation, lighter boot, and the new color is more relevant to current operational situations.
The Department of National Defence estimates the production rate would be about 24,000 ICU uniforms per year. The decision to change the combat uniform is mostly due to problems with drying and it offers poor integration with Operational equipment. The other reason is the loss of color after only one year of use.
See also
- FlecktarnFlecktarnFlecktarn is a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-colour disruptive camouflage pattern. The use of spots creates a "dithering" effect, which eliminates hard boundaries between the different colours in much the same way the squares in the newest digital camouflage patterns do...
- MARPATMARPATMARPAT is a digital camouflage pattern in use with the United States Marine Corps, introduced with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform , which replaced the Camouflage Utility Uniform. The pattern is formed by a number of small rectangular pixels of color...
- M05
- Universal Camouflage PatternUniversal Camouflage PatternThe Universal Camouflage Pattern , also referred to as ACUPAT or Digital Camouflage is the military camouflage pattern currently in use in the United States Army's Army Combat Uniform. The pattern was chosen after several laboratory and field tests that occurred from 2003 to 2004...
- Military camouflageMilitary camouflageMilitary camouflage is one of many means of deceiving an enemy. In practice, it is the application of colour and materials to battledress and military equipment to conceal them from visual observation. The French slang word camouflage came into common English usage during World War I when the...
- List of camouflage patterns
- Canadian ForcesCanadian ForcesThe Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
- Combat DressCombat DressCombat Dress was the name of the uniform worn by members of Land Force Command of the Canadian Forces from 1968 to 2002.The combat uniform was olive-drab colour pants and shirt replacing the old Battle Dress from the British. This pattern was adopted by NATO members in the 1960s, but abandoned for...
- UniformUniformA uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
- Military uniformMilitary uniformMilitary uniforms comprises standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations. Military dress and military styles have gone through great changes over the centuries from colourful and elaborate to extremely utilitarian...