A-TACS - The Pattern

[Soldat_Américain]

A-TACS - The Pattern
A-TACS® is designed as a universal pattern for a wide range of operational environments with additional supporting color and design variants to follow. The current pattern uses a tan base and is tuned for use in arid environments.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=1325&pictureid=17927
Most of the so-called digital patterns use square pixels to create the distortion effect. These do not replicate the shapes, forms, and shadows of the environment they are deployed in; especially when viewed through optics. This use of ninety-degree angles and limited natural colors can in many cases, make detection easier.

Additionally, the “visual noise” in these same patterns tends to make them close together into a solid color, producing a “blobbing” effect when viewed from a distance. DCS designed A-TACS® to address these critical issues in three ways.

1. - Replace unnatural square pixels with organic pixels. They developed a patented process to create a palette of natural colors digitally sampled from real-world elements in carefully controlled lighting. The pattern is then created using a mathematical algorithm that writes “organically-shaped” pixels using the specific color information given. The resulting pattern while still digital, is far more organic in appearance.

2. - Use small patterns to create larger more distinct shapes designed to work at a distance. Small shapes create larger shapes and larger shapes are organized into a distinct pattern with no horizontal or vertical orientation. This unique “pattern within a pattern” concept allows A-TACS® to effectively break the human outline at great distances thereby, minimizing the “blobbing” effect of other patterns when viewed from a distance.

3. - More effective use of color range produces a better concealment system. A-TACS® is created using a far greater range of inter-mingled natural colors than was previously possible. The overall base color for the cast is a neutral tan which is designed for use in open, rocky, or arid environments. The additional colors mix together to create a greater number of shades.

The information provided by DCS has a couple of great points:

- No vertical or horizontal orientation. This can lead to a higher usable fabric yield for manufacturers.
- It looks like additional patterns for specific environments will be forthcoming
- It is difficult to copy meaning knock-offs should be easy to spot

DCS will release additional information soon. Visit www.a-tacs.com.http://soldiersystems.net/2009/11/08/a-tacs-the-pattern/

Looks very nice.

[Britishhawk]

Looks like an oil painting. Looks a bit light for woodland?

[Soldat_Américain]

Looks like an oil painting. Looks a bit light for woodland?

That's exactly my reaction.

[idebo]

Looks awesome.

[2495]

Looks a complete pile of wank to be honest. Guess we will have to wait 71 days till its rolled out to see the real stuff, but that pic looks bloody ****e.

[Mrufka]

check this out http://soldiersystems.net/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/atacs0002.jpg

[Britishhawk]

check this out http://soldiersystems.net/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/atacs0002.jpg

That pic is photoshopped :roll:

[Mrufka]

check this out

[Mrufka]

That pic is photoshopped :roll:
Yes, looks like
it will be showed on 2010 Shot Show in Vegas

[Karaahmetoglu]

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/news/new-a-tacs%C2%AE-camo-pattern-unveiled/?hp=news_title

More pics here.

[kodiak22]

This looks to light for woodland climates, because even though this is a "universal" pattern it is primarily for Arid climates, they will have other colors for other environments later. But i don't get how they can call it a "universal" pattern then :cantbeli:.

[crazyman]

I'll go ahead and agree with the "too light" crowd. Probably usable in built up areas like iraqi cities that use mostly sandstone, but other than that? crap.

[TallGuy]

Looks like a tan uniform covered in dirt...

[Soldat_Américain]

I'll go ahead and agree with the "too light" crowd. Probably usable in built up areas like iraqi cities that use mostly sandstone, but other than that? crap.

Looks better than ACUs...but that's not much to improve upon.

[crazyman]

Looks better than ACUs...but that's not much to improve upon.

That was my first impression as well, verbatim. "Well...it sucks, but it's better than what I wear right now..."

[Red_Fern]

I could see this pattern going places with a bit of work... has the Army reached a definitive point in ACU re-development/replacement?

[Hammer27]

check this out

Looks good but I'd like to see an actual uniform in different lighting/enviroments before making judgement. That being said, I'd snatch up that instead of a UCP kit any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[Bohemoth]

check this out
Wow, without the face he blends in perfectly, almost invisible.
Wonder how this camo would look like in a woodland colour combination.

[Alpha-17]

Looks better than ACUs...but that's not much to improve upon.

Not by much. Pretty much the same bad colors in a different pattern.

[James]

Looks like an oil painting. Looks a bit light for woodland?

From the article:


The current pattern uses a tan base and is tuned for use in arid environments.

[Special-K]

I could see this pattern going places with a bit of work... has the Army reached a definitive point in ACU re-development/replacement?



I don't think so. Seems to me that the troops want to ditch it, but the 'system' wants to keep it. I'm very curious about the results of the current 'Multicam' vs 'UCP-D' experiment that's currently ongoing in Afghanistan. I would be happy just to see some pics of it use ove there. Supposedly the Army's new camo will be decided upon partly based on whatever is 'learned' from this current experiment.

I would expect that this pattern will be presented for consideration, but the final tests and decision will be several years from now.



-K

[Red_Fern]

Very true... I just it was just wishful thinking on my part to see something come out over ACU. rofl

[Special-K]

Very true... I just it was just wishful thinking on my part to see something come out over ACU. rofl


Don't lose faith yet, there's still hope. I expect they'll wind up staying with the UCP of some sort, but improve on it in some way - if only to save face.

Then again, they could possibly say they are switching over to a 'new, improved' digital pattern and try to take some credit.

And yes, it is my belief that many of these decisions are made on politics, subjective opinions not based in fact, and on ego/pride - not on operational needs, capabilities, or lessons learned. :slap:



-K

[Red_Fern]

Yeah, politics dictates alot of decisions.

[vajt]

They did mention other colors and patterns for different scenarios are being developed so let's see what is shown in a couple of months in the official release.

At least the pictures shown it looks fairly effective but that's the case with most patterns, they place them in he best backgrounds for their pattern. Let's see how the patterns perform in various environments.

-----JT-----

[laurentrox]

The first reaction I had towards the pattern was "oil painting?"

I don't know how you guys feel about this, but I think its a good pattern especially for the IDF to adopt. The olive-ish green hues combined with the desert tan makes it somehow suitable for the Mediterranean dessert areas.

[Skutatos]

There is never going to be a pattern that is universal, they need to get over the idea.

[Red_Fern]

Agreed. I still think BDU and DCU was a good idea... but apparently not.. rofl

[wild_wild_wes]

Very true... I just it was just wishful thinking on my part to see something come out over ACU. rofl

It's looking more and more that ACU is on the way out....thank God.

[BiZ]

Due to the colour blending it looks like it'd be expensive (and difficult) to produce...

[ktk.ace]

remember multicam?

i'll wait for real life pics, rather than "official" ones.

I love multicam, makes the other team stick out in woodlands, easy pickings .

[Virus]

remember multicam?

i'll wait for real life pics, rather than "official" ones.

I love multicam, makes the other team stick out in woodlands, easy pickings .

Well afaik, multicam is purported to be a universal type camouflage right? Whereas this one is said to be used for arid conditions.

[mcantu]

just fyi, the pattern show in the photos is the 'universal' pattern. they also have environment specific versions planned. that color swatch shown is of an earlier design. if you notice, the pattern on the promo photos is different...

[Soldat_Américain]

new photos:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=1325&pictureid=18144

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=1325&pictureid=18142

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=1325&pictureid=18143

[Red_Fern]

How widely has this pattern been produced? Or have there only been a few uniforms made for testing and further development?

[Soldat_Américain]

It's not going to be released for two more months it looks...but they're slowly releasing photos.

[Red_Fern]

Oh, ok. Wonder if this will make the next round of uniform testing if the Army hasn't made a definitive decision between UCP-D or Multicam? Or if it will at least be considered in the future.

[Alpha-17]

Those photos look much better. Splash some green and CB in there, and you'll have a decent multi-terrain pattern.

[joeyl]

it looks like someone just spray painted on a tan uniform. So simple yet so appealing..... I like it would like to see what a woonland version would look like

[vajt]

it looks like someone just spray painted on a tan uniform. So simple yet so appealing..... I like it would like to see what a woonland version would look like

I second that. Let's see what interesting patterns are shown in the official release.

-----JT-----