The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army. It is the successor to the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) and Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) worn during the 1980s and 1990s. It features a number of design changes, as well as a different camouflage pattern from its predecessor. The ACU and its component materials are manufactured by the existing industrial infrastructure which produced the now replaced BDU.[1]
Universal Camouflage Pattern
The ACU uses a new military camouflage pattern called the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), which blends green, tan, and gray to work effectively in desert, and urban environments. Similar to the United States Marine Corps MARPAT and Canadian CADPAT camouflage schemes that preceded it, the pattern design is based on research into Dual Texture (Dual-Tex) Camouflage conducted in the 1970s.[2]
The color scheme of the Army Combat Uniform is composed of a slate gray, desert sand and foliage green digital pattern. The color black was omitted from the uniform because it is not commonly found in nature.[3] Pure black, when viewed through night vision goggles, appears excessively dark and creates an undesirable high-contrast image. In combat, the gray would tend to match the environment after use; for example, dust could cover up the gray. Gray is also a neutral color and thus does not tend to catch the eye as more saturated colors would. Body armor has been made to match the camouflage. The ACU's blend in extremely well in tan grassy fields and are almost impossible to spot more than 50 feet away even if the person wearing the ACU's is in the direct line of sight of the spotter.
The ACU
U.S. Soldiers patrolling the streets of Baghdad, Iraq wearing the Army Combat Uniform with matching Interceptor body armor.
Soldiers have reported that the nylon cotton fabric does breathe better than the cotton Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCUs) and results in a cooler uniform in high temperature climates.[citation needed]
The uniform features hook and pile fasteners on the pockets. Although some concern has been expressed that the noise associated with opening Velcro fasteners would give away a soldier's position in the field, this has been determined to be a minor issue that can be negated with correct noise discipline.
IR tab closed.
IR tab opened.
The cost to each soldier is $76 per uniform, compared to $58 for a BDU, but clothing allowances in soldiers' pay have been adjusted to compensate for the more expensive uniform. All insignia is at an extra cost, as are name tapes and branch tapes. Soldiers who purchase uniforms from non-ACU approved websites or surplus stores generally have to purchase IR squares because these uniforms may not include the IR square.
ACU material has the feature of being less visible in infrared, due to the lack of black color.[citation needed]
Jacket
The ACU jacket uses Velcro-backed attachment for name tapes, rank insignia, shoulder pockets for unit patches, skill tabs, and recognition devices, such as the infrared (IR) feedback American flag - this provides day and night recognition for Identification Friend or Foe (IFF). The jacket also features permanent IR IFF squares that are sewn to each shoulder for nighttime identification. These reflect infrared light and can be easily seen with night vision devices. They are protected by Velcro tabs in garrison or when not in use. In garrison, the red, white, and blue cloth or IR infrared Velcro-backed flag of the United States of America is worn instead of the subdued infrared version. Subdued (non-full color) unit patches are always worn, as well as a full-color U.S. flag cloth, or IR replica, positioned so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag's right. This gives the impression that the soldier is advancing into battle with the flag unfurling behind them.[4] There are currently only three authorized flags for wear with the ACU: Full-Color Cloth, Full-Color IR, and Subdued IR. The subdued cloth flag is not authorized for wear on the ACU.
The jacket's Mandarin collar is worn up in combat to fit with the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) body armor, and worn in the down position otherwise. The front closure is zippered and reinforced with velcro, designed for use with OTV. The tilted chest pockets, cuffs, and elbow pad insert pockets also utilize hook-and-loop closure. There is a three slot pen pocket on the left arm of the jacket, and blouse bellows for increased mobility.
Skill badges worn are of a pin-on variety only. The skill tabs, which are the President's Hundred Tab, Ranger, Sapper, and Special Forces are worn on the left sleeve pocket flap. Of the four authorized skill tabs, only 3 may be worn at any one time on the ACU. A tab that is an integral part of a unit patch, such as the "mountain" or "airborne" tab, is not counted against the 3-tab-only rule. The U.S. Army Chaplaincy insignia is the only authorized branch insignia to be worn on the ACU. It is centered 1/8 inch above the right name tape. The insignia must be pinned on, not sewn on.
The jacket must not extend below the top of the cargo pocket and must not be higher than the bottom of the side pocket. Sleeves will be worn down at all times, in contrast with the earlier Army BDU policy which authorized sleeve-folding for the summer uniform.
In the field, the jacket may be replaced by the flame resistant Army Combat Shirt which is worn directly under Armor.[5]
[edit] Field Jacket
The M65 Jacket comes in the ACU pattern. There are no shoulder boards, unlike the BDU field jacket. All four front pockets are kept, velcro patches were added to the sleeves and front. The jacket has an optional foliage green liner.
Trouser
The ACU trouser is worn with a two-inch nylon web belt (Rigger's Belt), and features Velcro pouches for knee pad inserts, two forward-tilted thigh storage pockets with elastic drawstring and Velcro for closure during movement, and two calf storage pockets one on each pant leg with a Velcro closure. In addition, the pants legs can be bloused and must not extend past the third eyelet of the boots as per AR 670-1. Army Combat Pants, which are identical to the ACU trousers except for their flame resistant materials, are being issued for use in Iraq and Afghanistan.[5]
Headwear
In the field, the ACU is worn with the MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet, a patrol cap, or a boonie hat as appropriate. In garrison, the maroon paratrooper, tan United States Army Rangers, green United States Army Special Forces or black conventional unit beret or patrol cap is worn. The patrol cap is a straight-sided, flat-topped soft cap, with a double thick bill and internal pocket. The nametape is worn on the back of the patrol cap. Sew-on rank is recommended but pin-on rank is authorized on the ACU Patrol Cap and ACU Boonie Hat. The MICH (Modular Integrated Communications Helmet) Camouflage cover rank must be sewn on if worn but is often not used as the Night Vision Device mount would obstruct it.
T-Shirt
The ACU is worn with a moisture-wicking sand colored T-shirt.[6] A Foliage Green T-shirt, which is 100% cotton, has been authorized for wear by select soldiers.
Footwear
The ACU is worn with tan rough-out combat boots and moisture wicking socks. Commercial versions of this boot are authorized without limitation other than they must be at least 8 inches in height and are no longer authorized to have a 'shoe-like' appearance.[7]
Uniform care
Although common practice (though not required by regulation) with the BDUs, ACUs are not to be starched. As per the ALARACT message in effect until a new revision of AR 670-1 is released, "Soldiers will not starch the Army Combat Uniform under any circumstances. The use of starch, sizing, and any process that involves dry-cleaning or steam press will adversely affect the treatments and durability of the uniform and is not authorized."[7]
Starching the uniform has been shown to cause discoloration. It enhances the IR signature, making the uniform brighter when viewed with night vision goggles. In addition, personnel have been instructed that the uniform must be washed with a mild detergent that does not contain "optical brighteners." Detergents with optical brighteners may cause discoloration of the uniform, which would nullify the purpose of the very specific camouflage design and result in possible unwanted detection of personnel using the uniforms in combat. Some detergents have phosphorescent properties which enhance an enemy's ability to see the soldier when viewed with Night Vision Devices. Soldiers have expressed concern about the velcro on the ACU. Dirt and mud can clog the hooks and loops or they can wear out with use. Zippers have also been a topic of concern. Soldiers also express concern because the zippers (as with any zipper) can bind up, and render the uniform uncomfortable to wear, especially with Body Armor. According to the Program Executive Office Soldier "Commercial Velcro will be sold in clothing sales for the repair/replacement of Velcro. Additionally soldiers have been using the small weapons cleaning brush to clean out any sand and dirt from the pile and it has been working very well." [8][7]
Initial fielding
The process of replacing the Army's Woodland (in use since 1982) and Three Color Desert pattern BDU with the ACU was to begin in April 2005; however, the process began two months earlier through the Rapid Fielding Initiative. Soldiers from the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were the first Army unit, active or reserve, to receive the ACU, subsequently deploying the entire Brigade into OIF combat in May 2005. The mixing of multiple camouflage patterns within an organization is now seldom seen, as the ACU has been widely fielded.
NOTE:
没有评论:
发表评论