U.S. Army Universal Camouflage Trials - Adoption of UCP and Replacement

Adoption of UCP and Replacement

Discounting the results of testing, the US Army ultimately adopted the UCP pattern for it's uniforms. The US Army initially asserted that this was a digitised version of it's Urban Track scheme, although why the wost performing pattern had been selected as the basis for the new UCP scheme was unexplained. Despite denials, UCP was in fact a three-colour variation of the earlier US Marines MARPAT scheme, which had been based on the Canadian CADPAT scheme. UCP used a colouration of light sand, sage green and grey, giving it a distinctive grey appearance. The UCP scheme had not been part of the original camouflage trials and the uniform has received considerable critism since it's adoption as failing to provide adequate concealment in most theatres of operation.

After being directed by the US congress to re-consider, the US Army is cancelling the UCP and now considers the $5 billion program a colossal mistake. Army researchers are currently working on a new and better camouflage Four new patterns are being tested to give soldiers different patterns suitable for different environments, plus a single neutral pattern, to be used on more expensive body armor and other gear. The selection will involve hundreds of computer trials as well on-the-ground testing at half a dozen locations around the world. Until the new pattern is fully fielded, soldiers deployed to Afghanistan are being issued MultiCam uniforms. with UCP remaining in service elswhere.