"Chocolate spot" DBDU vs. 3Tone-Camo

[Joe Lippke]

Anyone heard why the US Forces changed their "desert-outfit" from the so-called "Chocolate spot" (used in the Gulf War) to the now actual 3Tone-Camo as it can be seen in Afghanistan?



JOE

[extremetacticalgear]

Hello Joe,

If I remember correctly, the "chocolate chip pattern" stood out when viewed with night vision a lot more than the 3-tone. Also, I believe that the "chocolate chip pattern" is more useful in the arid desert regions where you have more rock and darker colors. In the sands of the Gulf, the pattern stood out. The 3-tone would have been better there. From what I can tell in the 'Ghan', not that I've been there, mind you' the "chocolate chip pattern" looks like it would be better there. I believe both patterns still have there use. Just remember about the NV thing.

Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.

See ya,
etg

[Joe Lippke]

Thank you....

What do you mean by night vision? You are not referring to IR-vision, do you?

I only saw the 3Tone on pictures from Afghanistan and found it (on the pictures) extremely efficient.


JOE

[0802]

The 6 color was designed for high-mountain rocky type desert (similar to NTC and 29 Palms). The 3 color is designed for sandy deserts (like SWA). We banked on, thought we fight in the desert again it would mostly likely be the sandy type, but when the US went to A-stan, it was the high mountain rocky type.

[B 2/75]

Night Vision, such as with a set of PVS-7 goggles or with a PVS-4 weapons sight, is passive, in that it simply amplifies the available light about a zillion times, making the things which are not visible to the naked eye clearly visible, but with a greenish cast. It does not emit any light. (yeah, I know that the goggles have a mini light for finding crap in a BLACK area, like a tent or in your ruck.)

Infra Red devises rely on the use of an active infra red light emitter. Several decades ago there was an early devise out which was called a Metascope. About the size of a flashlight, it had an IR light source and a monocular which made the "invisible" IR light visible. Problem with IR reliant devices is that anybody using a passive night vision device will see you as if you had a damn M-60 tank searchlight on your head.

[Joe Lippke]

Thanks guys...

The only night vision system I used was a thermal imaging system on our tanks target sight. Anything human would appear as a bright spot (or a dark one, depends on how you tuned your systems polarity), no matter what kind of camo it would use. Didn´t knew that the Chocolate Chip would reflect the light much more than any other uniform.


@0802: So the 3Tone is "accidently" in use in Afghanistan?



JOE

[extremetacticalgear]

Thanks for the additional,

I don't think it was an issue of material reflectability as much as it was the pattern being more disruptive than most. I remember reading that the S.E.A.L.'s did an evaluation, at least that is what the report said; and the 'chocolate chip pattern' stood out against the 3-tone. And if I am not mistaken, it said that solids scored better under NV than any camo pattern.

From what I can remember, it's been awhile.

etg

[0802]

Originally posted by Joe Lippke


@0802: So the 3Tone is "accidently" in use in Afghanistan?



JOE

Kind of, we always thought the next war in the desert would be SWA II.

[sjl777]

I think the 3-color is the only desert BDUs that is currently in the supply system. Desert MARPAT will only apply to the USMC. I recall seeing some 6 color MOPP suits floating around but that was back around '95-'96.

My guess is that any 6 color items in use today are hold overs from previous deployments or private purchase.

[DCH]

As long as the Desert Tiger Stripes don't find there way on the troops over there, I hate those things.

Then there's the ASAT desert pattern that Palm Springs SWAT wears- yeah, maybe if you're surrounded by antlers!

http://www.pspd.com/graphix/swat.jpg

DCH

[Joe Lippke]

Originally posted by 0802


Kind of, we always thought the next war in the desert would be SWA II.


SWA II??? South West Africa?? Please fill me in...



JOE

[Bohr Adam]

Originally posted by Joe Lippke



SWA II??? South West Africa?? Please fill me in...


SWA = Southwest Asia (i.e. "Gulf War"), usually pronounced as a word, kinda like "swah."

The gist of his statement is that the though was, were we to fight in a desert again, it would be that same one.

Of course, we've been operating in SWA regularly since the "Gulf War" - so those 3-colored uniforms have had their share of use - yet we still have the damn Elvis-collared versions still floating around!


Adam