Strange patterns and colors on military uniforms of other countries: Is it just for beauty?

What is digital vignette?

We are all too familiar with the image of military uniforms in almost every country in the world with camo, camouflage, spotted patterns designed for camouflage purposes.

The uniform has changed from camo camouflage to a digital style.

But things have changed today. If you are impressed with the blocky pixel graphics in the popular Minecraft online game, many people will feel that the army seems to have switched to this design uniform, instead of using the old camouflage style. .

In other words, over the past 20 years, militaries across the globe have transitioned from camo patterns to digital-style uniforms.

Camo uniforms in the past, often with woodland motifs, were used by the US Marines, soldiers, sailors and air force from 1981 until two decades ago.

However, not every uniform pattern, stitching pattern, coming from a manufacturer that spans many years is the best choice.

In 2002, the Marines switched to a digital texture called MARPAT. This pattern has been rigorously tested in the field and it has proven to be more effective than the previously used woodland embossed pattern.

Meanwhile, the Army also released a redesigned general camouflage combat uniform (UCP) in 2005.

According to Timothy R. O'Neill, a retired US Army lieutenant, large, polka-dotted geometric designs work well at long distances, while small textures work well up close. .

The pixelated digital textures are suitable for both the Marines and the Army, as when up close, the small patches of pattern look like the natural projection of leaves. In contrast, the cluster of squares creates a macro stroke that merges with the trees, branches and shadows cast in the distance.

A specific study conducted by the Office of Naval Research found that soldiers wearing MARPAT uniforms took 2.5 seconds to be detected while soldiers wearing old uniforms took only a second to see. surname. When on the battlefield, these few seconds make a huge difference.

Digital motifs are incorporated by several US military divisions in a variety of designs and colors.

Various options

Digital motifs are combined by several US military divisions in a variety of designs and colors. Each camouflage design and color is best suited to the specific type of environment in which they frequently operate.

Accordingly, the army wears the UCP pattern and the marines wear the MARPAT, with pixel motifs in two variations: desert and forest.

The US Navy uses multicolor digital printing in three variants. The first type has a dominant color of blue with a hint of gray that most ships and sailors use. The second is a digital texture of the forest and the last is a digital texture that resembles a desert environment.

The fact that the US military wore old uniforms in Afghanistan proved to be a serious mistake due to the lack of brown color, which made the military stand out clearly in the predominantly desert environment.

At the same time, testing has proven that digital textures are the best way to be effective on the battlefield as long as the right colors are used. Here, the MultiCam digital vignette seems to work well in Afghanistan.

However, perhaps the Chinese perspective is different from that of the Americans, when it comes to using color in a way that is difficult to predict.

During the military parade in September 2015, China displayed many models of armored vehicles and missile batteries with blue camouflage, which is said to have no effect on camouflage on the battlefield.

There are many explanations for this choice. According to Insider, perhaps the Chinese chose this color scheme to signal a major shift in the focus of power from the armed forces to naval power.

In addition, the blue pattern, although easy to stand out during the day, is difficult to detect at night.