MultiCam
Encyclopedia
MultiCam is a single camouflage pattern designed to help the wearer hide in varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions. It is a 7-color, multi-environment camouflage
pattern developed by Crye Associates in conjunction with U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center
(also known as U.S Army Natick labs). The pattern was on the race to replace the 3-color desert
and Woodland
patterns, but originally lost to the Universal Camouflage Pattern
(UCP) in 2004, seen in the Army Combat Uniform
. However, it has been newly commissioned in 2010 and will be replacing the UCP over time for use by US Army Units serving in Afghanistan, under the Designation OCP or Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern. It is already used by some American Special Operations units
and law enforcement agencies.
The US Army has recently approved the use of MultiCam for the 173rd Airborne Brigade deployed to Afghanistan.
The pattern is also available for commercial sale to civilians.
A development of MultiCam with the existing British DPM has been adopted with British Army
as Multi-Terrain Pattern
.
MultiCam has background colors of a brown to light-tan gradient and lime green blending in between, the main part consist of green to yellowish green gradient and finally dark brown and light pinkish blotches spread throughout the pattern. This allows for the overall appearance to change from greenish to brownish in different areas of the fabric, while having smaller blotches to break up the bigger background areas. MultiCam hides volume and form by tricking the human eye's perception of color. MultiCam allows the object it covers to blend into the background with the camo pattern.
There is also a non-licensed copy of the original pattern which is slightly darker or with pink or yellow tone and printed on different fabric with different characteristics.
Another non-licensed copy, called Suez pattern, very similar to original MultiCam, is used by Polish special forces GROM
, BOA and BOR
.
, and some private military contractors
. Several members of the US Army's 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Charlie Company were also seen wearing MultiCam when followed by ABC News. Some local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies also make use of the pattern, including the Drug Enforcement Agency DEA FAST teams operating Afghanistan as well as the Department of Homeland Security ICE
SRT and the Spokane Police department. The United States Air Force just recently announced that they will be adopting use of MultiCam for some of their uniforms.
, since March 2010. Crye's MultiCam technology was determined to be the best performing, across the widest range of environments (by a significant margin) and was subsequently selected as the basis for the new MTP camouflage, combined with the existing British Disruptive Pattern Material
pattern.
On the 30th of May 2011 the Defence Material Organisation announced that they had obtained licence to produce Multicam in Australia for $4.7 million USD and Crye would also design a new uniquely Australian pattern for another $3.1 million USD.
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 developed by Crye Associates in conjunction with U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center
U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center
The United States Army Soldier Systems Center is a military research complex and installation in Natick, Massachusetts charged by the U.S. Department of Defense with the research and development of food, clothing, shelters, airdrop systems, and other servicemember support items for the U.S....
(also known as U.S Army Natick labs). The pattern was on the race to replace the 3-color desert
Desert Camouflage Uniform
The Desert Camouflage Uniform is essentially the same as the United States military's Battle Dress Uniform uniform, only featuring the three-color desert camouflage pattern of light tan, pale green, and brown, as opposed to the dark green, black, brown, and dark tan of the BDU's woodland pattern...
and Woodland
M81 Woodland
Woodland pattern is the name of the default camouflage pattern issued to United States soldiers, Marines, airmen, and sailors from 1981, with the issue of the M81 Battle Dress Uniform until nearly the present day...
patterns, but originally lost to the Universal Camouflage Pattern
Universal Camouflage Pattern
The 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...
(UCP) in 2004, seen in the 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...
. However, it has been newly commissioned in 2010 and will be replacing the UCP over time for use by US Army Units serving in Afghanistan, under the Designation OCP or Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern. It is already used by some American Special Operations units
SOCOM
SOCOM is an acronym which refers to United States Special Operations Command or one of these related topics:* Firearms for USSOCOM's Offensive Sidearm Weapon System trials:** Heckler & Koch Mark 23 Mod 0** Colt OHWS* Springfield Armory, Inc...
and law enforcement agencies.
The US Army has recently approved the use of MultiCam for the 173rd Airborne Brigade deployed to Afghanistan.
The pattern is also available for commercial sale to civilians.
A development of MultiCam with the existing British DPM has been adopted with British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
as Multi-Terrain Pattern
Multi-Terrain Pattern
The Multi-Terrain Pattern is a camouflage pattern printed on equipment issued to British forces.As part of the MOD's PECOC programme, three new camouflage patterns were being considered for issue to British forces...
.
Appearance
There is also a non-licensed copy of the original pattern which is slightly darker or with pink or yellow tone and printed on different fabric with different characteristics.
Another non-licensed copy, called Suez pattern, very similar to original MultiCam, is used by Polish special forces GROM
GROM
GROM is one of five special forces units of the Polish Armed Forces. It was officially activated on July 8, 1990...
, BOA and BOR
Biuro Ochrony Rzadu
The Government Protection Bureau is Poland's equivalent of the United States Secret Service, providing antiterrorism and VIP security services for the Polish government.-Subjects of protection:* President of the Republic of Poland...
.
Adoption
It has become quite popular among armed forces of many nationalities and, to an equal extent, civilians. It is one of few patterns that are not generally issued but are yet available from prominent makers of military uniforms and equipment.Chile
The Chilean Marine Corps and the Chilean Special Operations Division adopted Multicam in 2009.United States
MultiCam is currently in use by some units of the US military's Special Operations CommandUnited States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special Operations Commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense...
, and some private military contractors
Private military company
A private military company or provides military and security services. These combatants are commonly known as mercenaries, though modern-day PMCs refer to their staff as security contractors, private military contractors or private security contractors, and refer to themselves as private military...
. Several members of the US Army's 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Charlie Company were also seen wearing MultiCam when followed by ABC News. Some local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies also make use of the pattern, including the Drug Enforcement Agency DEA FAST teams operating Afghanistan as well as the Department of Homeland Security ICE
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security , responsible for identifying, investigating, and dismantling vulnerabilities regarding the nation's border, economic, transportation, and infrastructure security...
SRT and the Spokane Police department. The United States Air Force just recently announced that they will be adopting use of MultiCam for some of their uniforms.
United Kingdom
The pattern is also in use with UKSF in Afghanistan. British forces deployed in Afghanistan have been using a MultiCam variant, Multi-Terrain PatternMulti-Terrain Pattern
The Multi-Terrain Pattern is a camouflage pattern printed on equipment issued to British forces.As part of the MOD's PECOC programme, three new camouflage patterns were being considered for issue to British forces...
, since March 2010. Crye's MultiCam technology was determined to be the best performing, across the widest range of environments (by a significant margin) and was subsequently selected as the basis for the new MTP camouflage, combined with the existing British Disruptive Pattern Material
Disruptive Pattern Material
Disruptive Pattern Material is the commonly used name of a camouflage pattern used by British forces as well many other armies worldwide, particularly in former British colonies....
pattern.
Australia
On the 19th of November 2010, after trials by Australian special operations forces, the Australian Defence Force announced that Multicam will be standard for all regular Australian Army personnel in Afghanistan. Multicam, it is said, provided "... troops with greater levels of concealment across the range of terrains in Afghanistan – urban, desert and green." Previously, depending upon the terrain, Australian troops had to transition between green and desert colored Australian Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniforms (DPCU or AUSCAM).On the 30th of May 2011 the Defence Material Organisation announced that they had obtained licence to produce Multicam in Australia for $4.7 million USD and Crye would also design a new uniquely Australian pattern for another $3.1 million USD.
Users
- Special Operations CommandSpecial Operations Command (Australia)The Special Operations Command is a command within the Australian Defence Force . Special Operations Command was established in May 2003, to unite all of the ADF special forces units. As of 2007 Special Operations Command is fully operational. Australia's Special Operations Command is of...
and forces deployed to AfghanistanOperation SlipperOperation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force contribution to the war in Afghanistan. The operation commenced in late 2001 and is ongoing...
. Also used by Police Tactical GroupPolice Tactical GroupPolice tactical groups , formerly known as "police assault groups", are part of the Australian government's National Anti-Terrorism Plan which, since 1978, has required each state and territory police force to maintain a specialised counter-terrorist and hostage rescue unit jointly funded by the...
s.: The uniform of the Marine Corps and the Special Operations Division.: Will be issued as standard uniform of the Danish militaryMilitary of DenmarkThe armed forces of the Kingdom of Denmark, known as the Danish Defence is charged with the defence of the Kingdom of Denmark.The Chief of Defence is the head of the Danish Armed Forces, and is head of the Defence Command which is managed by the Ministry of Defence. Constitutionally, the...
in 2013.: Standard uniform of the Georgian Armed Forces and of some police special forces: Standard uniform of the Montenegro militaryMilitary of MontenegroThe Military of Montenegro consists of an army, navy and air force. Conscription was abolished in 2006; the military is now a fully professional standing army....
.: New Zealand Special Air Service: Army Special Force, Winter Training Center, Mt. Ho-Huan : Multi-Terrain PatternMulti-Terrain PatternThe Multi-Terrain Pattern is a camouflage pattern printed on equipment issued to British forces.As part of the MOD's PECOC programme, three new camouflage patterns were being considered for issue to British forces...
variant is standard issue for the UK military.: U.S. Army, U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. Air Force Airmen 'outside the wire' in Afghanistan (e.g. JTACs)
See also
- 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
- U.S. Army trial patterns
- Future Force WarriorFuture Force WarriorFuture Force Warrior is a United States military advanced technology demonstration project that is part of the Future Combat Systems project. The FFW project seeks to create a lightweight, fully integrated infantryman combat system. It is one technology demonstration project in a series of...
- Multi-Terrain PatternMulti-Terrain PatternThe Multi-Terrain Pattern is a camouflage pattern printed on equipment issued to British forces.As part of the MOD's PECOC programme, three new camouflage patterns were being considered for issue to British forces...
External links
- MultiCamPattern.com
- Crye Precision
- Military Morons review and history of MultiCam
- Multicam-Inside.fr, (French) Multicam enthusiasts community.
- "British Army to get new uniforms – turned down by the US and made in China," The Daily TelegraphThe Daily TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, Dec. 20, 2009. - "British Army to get new camouflage uniform," BBC News, Dec. 20, 2009.
- "Camo Delays and Assessment Team Gouge" DefenseTech 29 Dec 2009.
- English Translation of Hebrew article on MultiCam
- Multicam & Multi Terrain Pattern (MTP) compared