| MultiCam | |
|---|---|
 A computerized rendering of a swatch of MultiCam | |
| Type | Military camouflage pattern |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2004–present[1] |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War Syrian Civil War Mali War Papuan Insurgency Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Crye Precision |
| Designed | 2002 |
| Manufacturer | Crye Precision MultiCam variants made in other countries |
| Produced | 2002–present |
| Variants | Arid, Tropic, Alpine, Black SeeVariants for MultiCam patterns made in other countries |
MultiCam is acamouflage pattern designed for use in a wide range of environments and conditions which was developed and is produced by American company Crye Precision.[2] The pattern has found extensive adoption globally. Variants of it, some unlicensed, are in use with militaries worldwide, particularly withspecial forces/special operations forces units.
The pattern is also available for purchase for civilian usage. Derived from the original standard pattern, additional specified variants were developed and later introduced in late 2013, those are "Arid", "Tropic", "Alpine" and "Black".[3]
First unveiled and designed in 2002, MultiCam was designed for the use of theU.S. Army in varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions. It is a seven-color,[4] multi-environmentcamouflage pattern developed by Crye Precision[5] in conjunction withUnited States Army Soldier Systems Center.
The pattern was included in the U.S. Army's move to replace the3-Color Desert andWoodland patterns, but in 2004 the U.S. Army chose theUniversal Camouflage Pattern that came to be used in theArmy Combat Uniform. Nonetheless, it remained in limited use by the U.S. Army special forces in the mid-to-late 2000s in Iraq and Afghanistan. MultiCam was also continually trialed for its "Future Force Warrior" program demonstrations.[6][7][8][9]
MultiCam was officially re-commissioned by the U.S. Army in 2010, replacing UCP for units deploying to fight in theWar in Afghanistan, under the designationOperation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OEF-CP).[10][11] It had already been used by someAmerican special operations units and civilian law enforcement agencies.[12] The U.S. Army discontinued the use of UCP in October 2019.[13]
MultiCam is available for commercial sale to civilians.[14] A version of MultiCam has been adopted by the armed forces of the United Kingdom as theMulti-Terrain Pattern (MTP), replacing their previousDPM camouflage. MTP retains the color palette of MultiCam but incorporates shapes similar to the previous DPM scheme. After using the MultiCam scheme in Afghanistan, Australia has also adopted its own version, combining the pattern of MultiCam with the color palette of its earlier DPCU / Auscam pattern.
On 25 November 2013, Crye Precision unveiled a family of MultiCam variants, which they claim can reduce the visual andnear-IR signature of a person operating in different environments. There are 4 variants from the original MultiCam. First is arid, for usersoperating in desert environments. Second is tropic, for usersoperating in dense jungle environments and areas that predominantly consist of lush vegetation that remains relatively unaffected by seasonal changes. Third is alpine, for usersoperating in snow-covered environments and intended to be used in every area of operation that receives significant snowfall. Last is black that meets the unique requirements ofpolice tactical units operating in high-risk environments and projects a distinctly authoritative presence appropriate for domestic operations.[15]
MultiCam has a background of a brown to light tan gradient, overprinted with a dark green, olive green, and lime green gradient and a top layer of opaque dark brown and cream-colored shapes spread throughout the pattern. This allows for the overall appearance to change from predominantly green to predominantly brown in different areas of the fabric, while having smaller shapes to break up the larger background areas.
The MultiCam color scheme inhex triplet is as follows:(i)Cream 524B8A78B; (ii)Dark Brown 53048352F; (iii)Tan 525967860; (iv)Brown 5296F573F; (v)Dark Green 5285A613F; (vi)Olive 5278C7D50; and (vii)Pale Green 52685755C.[16]
Army
On 19 November 2010, after trials by Australian special operations forces, the Australian Defence Force announced that MultiCam will be standard for all regularAustralian 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 AustralianDisruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniforms (DPCU orAUSCAM).[17][18] On 30 May 2011 the Defence Material Organisation announced that they had obtained licence to produce MultiCam in Australia for US$4.7 million and Crye would also design a new uniquely Australian pattern for another US$3.1 million.[19]
The Australian Army decided to standardize MultiCam-patterned uniforms starting in October 2014 called theAustralian Multicam Camouflage Uniform (AMCU). The Australian derivative retains colour and pattern elements of the previous DPCU pattern. The AMCU is manufactured domestically by Australian Defence Apparel andPacific Brands Workwear Group and comes in two variations, field and combat, using a tested Australian Multi-Camouflage Pattern that can operate in bush, desert, and jungle conditions. Previous DPCU Uniforms and Australian MultiCam Pattern Operational Combat Uniforms will be worn until all Army personnel have been issued with the AMCU.[20]
Air Force
In 2014 theRoyal Australian Air Force began fielding a new MultiCam-based uniform to replace the DPCU, called the General Purpose Uniform (GPU), using the blue-and-grey colours of the RAAF.[21] The uniform is not intended to be used ascamouflage in warlike operations or environments.[22][23]
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Navy
In 2015, theRoyal Australian Navy began their own testing of a new MultiCam uniform with a blue colourway, calling it the Maritime Multicam Pattern Uniform (MMPU)[24] The new uniform and pattern were intended to replace the Navy's grey-and-greenDisruptive Pattern Naval Uniform (DPNU) by 2017.[25] In 2019, the Navy announced that it was fielding a variant of the new AMCU including the design and cut of the uniform itself, and reverting to the grey-and-green colours of the DPNU.[26]
The fabric for the AMCU, the MMPU, and the GPU are produced in Australia by Bruck Textiles Pty Ltd.[27]
In 2021, a CADPAT variant based on the MultiCam pattern, called "multi-terrain pattern" or simply "MT," was announced as the replacement the TW and AR patterns.[28]
The rollout began in February 2024 for high-readiness units first;[29] and scheduled to fully replace all older variant of CADPAT by 2026.[30]
A domestic variant of MultiCam is in use with theGeorgian Defense Forces as standard issue for all military branches as well as special units of theMIA andState Security. The pattern was adopted initially in 2009, replacing the DWC andMARPAT and since has been produced in a slightly altered version that fits better to the local environment.
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On 2 March 2022, the Army unveiled their field uniform with a new camo pattern known as "Loreng Angkatan Darat" (Army camo pattern) or "Loreng TNI AD" also known officially as 'PDL (Pakaian Dinas Lapangan) Khas Matra Darat'.[31][32][33] This camo is a variant of Multicam based on US Army OCP with localDPM color palette. A Desert/Arid variant intended to replace the older local Desert DPM Variant are also Present.
TheNew Zealand Defence Force announced in late 2019 that it would be replacing its local Multi Terrain Pattern camouflage (NZMTP), in use since 2014, with a variant of BritishMulti-Terrain Pattern. The rollout began in 2020.[34] Prior to this, theNew Zealand Special Air Service in Afghanistan wore uniforms in Crye Precision MultiCam.
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A modified version of MultiCam has been adopted by the some ofPolish Special Forces. It is named Suez.[35]
As part of theSistemas de Combate do Soldado (Soldiers Combat Systems) project, in 2018, the Portuguese Army started to experiment a new individual equipment system for the dismounted soldiers, which includes a new camouflaged MultiCam-style uniform.[36] This new uniform was tested in the field by units deployed to the Central African Republic, Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2019, the MultiCam-style camouflaged was officially adopted as theMultiterreno (Multi-terrain), becoming the standard field uniform camouflage of the Portuguese Army, gradually replacing the Disruptive Pattern Material pattern.[36]
It was developed in cooperation with the CINAMIL (Research Center for Development and Innovation of theMilitary Academy).[36]
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In October 2016, a new camouflage meant to replace the oldDisruptive Pattern Material was presented by theRomanian Armed Forces. The pattern has a mosaic design and resembles MultiCam.[37][discuss] The new camouflage was introduced in 2017. The five-color M2017 camouflage has distinct versions for theArmy,Navy, andAir Force.[38]
Regular MultiCam is also used by theSpecial Forces. These uniforms are made by UF Pro.[39]
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MultiCam has also been adopted by some RussianSpetsnaz units, includingFSB Alpha,[40] theSSO,[40] and by theInternal Troops of theMVD. It is reported that Russia makes their own MultiCam camos.[41]
In 2023, Russia has adopted Multicam as a standard camouflage of its new Army field uniform kit, VKPO 2.0, VKPO 3.0 and VKPO 4.0.[42]
The first use of MultiCam in Ukraine was done by the "Ukrainian Volunteer Battalions":militias andparamilitary groups formed to fightseparatists, which were largely self-funded and bought their own equipment.[43]
Ukraine first adopted MultiCam officially for theirspecial forces units as part of a largerNATO training and modernization program,[44] together with a new digital camo for regular units.[45] However, some regularUkrainian Armed Forces and theNational Guard of Ukraine units have been issued MultiCam uniforms as well.[46]Territorial Defense Forces volunteers, are sometimes issued or buy their own MultiCam uniforms.[47] Members of thespecial police unitRapid Operational Response Unit (KORD) of theNational Police of Ukraine also use MultiCam.
The colors of the MultiCam pattern were also used in the development of the British armed forcesMulti-Terrain Pattern (MTP). British forces deployed in Afghanistan used MTP uniforms from March 2010 onwards, with these uniforms replacing allDisruptive Pattern Material (DPM) uniforms by 2013. The colors used in Crye's MultiCam technology were determined to be the best performing, across the widest range of environments (by a significant margin) when compared with the two existing DPM designs in use at the time and was subsequently selected as the basis for the new MTP camouflage, combined with the existing DPM base pattern.[48][49]
In June 2020, the Royal Marines announced the adoption of a new uniform made by Crye which uses the original MultiCam pattern instead of MTP, though the compatibility of the two designs means that items of load carrying equipment produced in MTP continue to be on issue;[50][51] prior to this, usage of original MultiCam as an issued uniform (as opposed to items privately purchased by individual personnel) was limited toUnited Kingdom Special Forces units.[52]
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MultiCam is currently in use by theU.S. Special Operations Command,[53] and someprivate military contractors.[54] Several members of the U.S. Army's Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion,12th Infantry Regiment were also seen wearing MultiCam when followed by ABC News.[55] In 2010, U.S. soldiers deployed to Afghanistan were issued MultiCam versions of theArmy Combat Uniform, as the existingUniversal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) was found to be inadequate for the terrain.
In May 2014, the Army selected a pattern similar to MultiCam called Scorpion W2 to replace UCP, naming it theOperational Camouflage Pattern (OCP). The original Scorpion pattern was jointly developed by Crye Precision and the Army for the Objective Force Warrior program in 2002, and Crye made small adjustments for trademark purposes to create MultiCam. Because Scorpion is similar to MultiCam, the same color Velcro, buttons, and zippers can be reused.[56][57] OCP resembles MultiCam with muted greens, light beige, and dark brown colors, but uses fewer beige and brown patches and no vertical twig and branch elements.[58] On 31 July 2014, the Army formally announced that OCP would begin being issued in uniforms in summer 2015.[59] Soldiers were allowed to continue wearing uniforms and field equipment patterned in MultiCam until they could acquire OCP, which was allowed until the MultiCam uniforms' wear-out date on 1 October 2018.[60] The U.S. Air Force also subsequently adopted OCP uniforms, starting 2018 with full phase-on April 1, 2021, replacing the previousAirman Battle Uniform.
Some local, state and federal law enforcement agencies also make use of the pattern, including theDrug Enforcement Administration's Foreign-deployed Advisory and Support Teams (FAST) teams operating inAfghanistan as well as theU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement'sSpecial Reaction Team, theSpokane, Washington Police Department, and theOregon State Police SWAT team.
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Afghanistan[61]
Albania: Crye-based Multicam used by Albanian special forces personnel.[62]
Angola: Used by parachute units of Special Operation Brigade of theAngolan Army.[63]
Argentina: Adopted a variation used by Argentine troops in Patagonia and by some Argentine special forces units.[64]
Armenia: Used by Armenian Special Forces and theNational Security Service.
Australia:
Austria:Austrian Special Forces (Jagdkommando)[66] and Austrian troops deployed to Afghanistan.[67]
Belarus: Its own version of this camouflage is used in theInternal Troops of Belarus.
Belgium: MultiCam was adopted as standard issue by all components of theBelgian Armed Forces except for theNaval Component in 2022.[68]
Belize Used by the Belize Special Assignment Group.[69]
Brazil: Used by theComando de Operações Táticas of theFederal Police of Brazil.[70]
Canada: Seen in use byCanadian Special Operations Forces Command.[71]
Chile: Standard issue uniform of theMarine Corps and theNavy Special Warfare Division. Also used by theChilean Air Force Commandos.[72] As of 2021 it has been issued in theChilean Army[73]
Cyprus: Main combat uniform of theCypriot National Guard army branch.[citation needed]
Denmark: Standard uniform of theDanish military.[74]
Egypt: In use byEgyptian Navy Special Forces.[citation needed]
Estonia: In use byEstonian Special Operations Force.[citation needed]
France: Used by theSpecial Operations Command's units.[75]
Finland Seen in use with some members of theCoastal Jaeger Battalion and theSpecial Jaeger Battalion.[76][77][better source needed]
Georgia: Standard uniform of theDefense Forces, modified variant produced locally. Issued also to law enforcement and security agencies.[78]
Haiti: Used by units of theHaitian National Police.[79][better source needed]
Hong Kong: Used by theSpecial Duties Unit.[citation needed]
India: Used byMARCOS commandos,Garud Commando Force andParas in jungle operations.[83]
Ireland: Army Ranger Wing operators are being issued with Multicam as of July 2023.[84]
Indonesia: A variant based on US Army OCP with local DPM color palette Used byIndonesian Army known as Loreng Angkatan Darat.[85][86] A Desert/Arid variant intended to replace the older local Desert DPM Variant are also Present.
Jordan: Used by Jordanian special forces units as theM2015 JSOC pattern.[87]
Lebanon: Operational Camouflage Pattern (based on MultiCam predecessor), Standard issued uniform for all branches replacedU.S. Woodland on 21 November 2017.[citation needed]
Malta: Replacing the woodland pattern with Mutlticam uniforms from Crye for the Maltese military.[88]
Montenegro: Standard uniform of theMontenegro military.[89] Made by YDS Textiles with a Montenegrin motif in the camo print.[90]
The Netherlands:Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) and theNetherlands Marine Corps used it on tour in Afghanistan.[citation needed] The Dutch-made MultiCam camo is made by NFM Group.[91]
New Zealand:New Zealand Special Air Service,New Zealand Army,Royal New Zealand Air Force,[92] For use by the Special Operations Forces (NZSOF) in Afghanistan and Iraq.
North Korea: First seen during a parade in October 2020 wearing supposed Multicam clones by the Korean's People Army.[93]
Norway:Norwegian Special Operations Command forces:Special Operations Command andNaval Special Operations Command and 339 Special Operations Aviation Squadron use multicam.
Philippines: Crye Precision and commercial clone copies used by numerous Special Forces units in theArmed Forces of the Philippines.[citation needed]
Poland: PolishJednostka Wojskowa GROM,Agencja Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego,Biuro Ochrony Rządu andJednostka Wojskowa Komandosów units uses "Suez", a slightly modified MultiCam pattern.
Portugal: Used byPortuguese Armed Forces (Portuguese Paratroopers,Commandos,Special Operations Troops Centre,NOTP andSpecial Actions Detachment).[94][95]
Romania: UF-Pro-made MultiCam uniforms used by Romanian special forces.[96]
Russia: Russia'sFSB Alpha Group[40] andVympel and the MVD'sSOBR Group. Russian Special Forces in Syria were also seen using MultiCams.[97] Zaslon forces use them on occasions when needed.[98]
Republika Srpska: Used by the RS' Special Anti-Terrorist Unit.[99]
Singapore: Used by Special Operations Force and Naval Diving Unit of the Singapore Armed Forces and also by the STAR unit and Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force.[citation needed]
Slovenia: SLOCAM.
South Korea: South KoreanUDT/SEAL operators.[100][93]
Spain: SpanishArmy's Special Operations Group[101] andSpecial Naval Warfare Force personnel.
Sweden: Used by theSOG and special forces support units[102] as well asUH-60M crew members.
Thailand: Combat Control Team Special Operation Regiment Royal Thai Air Force,Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters's Counter Terrorist Operations Center.[103][failed verification]
Tunisia: Seen used byUSGN in Raoued operation.[104][failed verification]
Turkey: Used by some units within the Turkish Special Forces.[105][better source needed]
Ukraine: Used by various Ukrainian special forces units.[44] Some regularUkrainian military andNational Guard units were also seen wearing MultiCam.[46]Territorial Defense Forces volunteers are sometimes issued or buy their own MultiCam uniforms.[47]
United Kingdom:
United States:
Uzbekistan: Uzbek-made version used by the Uzbek military.[111]
Venezuela: Adopted Multicam-based designs in 2020. They consist of Trópico multicámara (Tropical Multicam) and the Negro multicámara (Black Multicam) under the El Uniforme Patriota Tiuna Camuflado (Tiuna Patriot Camouflage Uniform).[112] France: A French-developed camouflage inspired by MultiCam, calledBariolage Multi-Environnement (BME), is due to become the standard camouflage pattern of the French Armed Forces from 2024 onwards.[113] Ireland: An Irish version known asIrish Transitional Multi-Cam Pattern (ITMCP) is being developed by the Irish military to replace in their DPM camouflage uniforms with the ITCMP pattern designed by Crye Precision.[84] ITMCP will be part of the upcoming DF Combat Clothing System, which would cost €40 million.[114]
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan: Worn byAfghan National Army commandos. Known to be used by operators of Crisis Response Unit 222.[115]
China: An "all-terrain" MultiCam-influenced pattern camouflage that debuted during the2015 Victory Day Parade.[116] It was intended to replaceType 07 uniform. Ultimately it was not adopted by PLA.
Al-Nusra Front[117][118][better source needed]
Sham Legion[119][better source needed]
Turkistan Islamic Party[120][better source needed]
Ajnad al-Kavkaz[121][better source needed][122][better source needed]
Mandalay People's Defense Force[123]{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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