Camouflage is an important element in military tactics.

With today's advanced surveillance equipment and weapon optics, soldiers face a greater risk of detection in combat. Recognising this, the Army and the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) have jointly developed a new SAF combat uniform with an enhanced camouflage pattern to reduce detection - based on the science of human visual performance and visual biophysics.

Besides an enhanced camouflage pattern, the new SAF combat uniform also consists of better quality fabric and an ergonomic functional design.

In developing the new SAF combat uniform, the following techniques were used to enhance the uniform's camouflage pattern:

Pixelised Pattern

Research was done to see how the defined boundary lines in the current camouflage pattern could be replaced to improve the camouflage capability of the combat uniform. Pixels were used to break up boundary lines and to generate a quivering effect.

This affects the ability of the eye to see solid lines and the brain to detect recognisable shapes, resulting in a slower detection rate of the pixelised camouflage pattern at short distances (micro-pattern).

Viewed at longer distances, the pixelised camouflage works just like the traditional camouflage which comprises pattern shapes (macro-pattern). Overall, it was found that the new pixelisation technique reduced our soldiers' risk of detection.

Colour and Shades

Extensive research was done to determine the combination of colour and shades used in the new combat uniform. The research involved capturing images in various operating environments at different distances and lighting conditions, for feature analysis and colour selection.

These images were segmented into pixels to generate the patterns used in the uniform's design. Field trials were then conducted to fine-tune the design and colour of the camouflage patterns.

Night Camouflage

In developing the camouflage uniform, it was noted that night vision devices negated the effects of pixelisation by showing all colours in the camouflage pattern as a single tone.

To counter detection by night vision devices, the material used in the new SAF combat uniform was given Near Infra-red (NIR) treatment to ensure that every colour in the camouflage pattern reflected a different wavelength. This maintains the pixelised camouflage effect when viewed through night vision devices.

The trials involving different terrain and distances in both day and night conditions showed that the new camouflage pattern was significantly more effective than the current one. Check out our photo gallery to see for yourself.

Information provided by Mindef