Vehicle camouflage

The first area is actually cutting vegetation (branches and leaves) and applying it to our vehicles. Too often the Army in peacetime with a "we-have-to-turn-this-in-to-the-wash-rack-in-a-few-days" mentality fails to camouflage vehicles whatsoever. This makes them stick out as easy RPG and ATGM targets and makes it easy for snipers to zero in on crewmen.

It should be unit SOP for every U.S. Army unit to camouflage and sandbag-harden ALL vehicles. We realize the American non-chalance mitigates against this, but it must stop. In WWII, and later on in Vietnam when avoiding enemy fire became a survival imperitive, American crews began to camouflage their vehicles--too late. It needs to be SOP today. Instead of chowing down on an MRE, get an ax or an E-tool and chop some vegetation and 550 cord it to your vehicle.

Notice how well-camouflaged these German PanzerGrenadiers are!

The British Light Dragoons in Afghanistan have camouflaged their Scimitar light tanks well:

The next level of camouflage will be semi- or permanently applied ghillie-type strips to render vehicles invisible to Forward Looking infared (FLIR). Some cut up camou nets as depicted above. When done systemically it can render the vehicle FLIR invisible. The Russians already have heat-reflecting covers offered on their armored vehicles like their 2S23 self-proppelled 120mm mortar:

Western firms that offer FLIR products

www.x20.org/library/thermal/desert_fox.htm

Such means area already available from Barricuda and Marconi of Sweden and Texas.

www.barracuda.se/tinfrared.html

Its important to balance camouflage with some identification markings so we can figure out which vehicle is which in the assembly area---a small panel section in the center with space for the ID number could be used without compromising camouflage.

The point of camouflage is so at a distance the vehicle can blend in with the surroundings and not become a target/aim point. We need this capability when on THE MOVE since we cannot afford to stop and erect a camouflage net with poles which takes hours to erect.

Vehicle crewmen camouflage

Once the vehicle is camouflaged, the heads and torsos of crewmen sticking out need to be camouflaged. The problem is these Soldiers have to be able to duck in and through narrow hatches and this limits what we can do.

One thing we can do is take a PASGT Kevlar helmet cover and place it over the detachable shell part of the Combat Vehicle Crewman (CVC) helmet and glue the ends down to change the shiny, smooth surface OD Green color to camouflage. This almost zero-cost addition can be done TODAY by all U.S. Army units. The helmet cover has slots to add natural vegetation twigs. Use only Medium/Large covers for this application.

The CVC shell should be the ballistic-protective types when obtained.

CVC Ballistic Shells

Medium 8470-01-389-3815 MIL-H-44117 Fits Small and Medium CVC helmets

Large 8470-01-389-3821 MIL-H-44117 Fits Large CVC helmets

http://www.specialtydefense.com/flyers/cvcstandard.htm

Size.........NSN #....... Fits Sizes

Small 8470-01-130-8180 Up to 6 7/8
Medium 8470-01-130-3794 7 - 7 1/4
Large 8470-01-130-3795 Over 7 1/4

All vehicle crewmen should wear Nomex fire-resistant jumpsuits and Kevlar body armor as SOP in peacetime and in war to acclimatize them to the extra weight and protect against vehicle accidents.

CVC helmet/NVG interface

Another problem encountered with CVC helmets is the AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggle (NVG) strap-on mount doesn't hook on securely. Resultingly, some BFV crews have been wearing NVGs dangling around their neck, lifting them up to their eyes to look at objects, tying up hands which should be free for other tasks. A wily enemy will be long gone before the BFV crewman can place the NVGs up to their eyes---NVG surveillance has to be continuous in order to see the enemy first.

The solution as it is with the PASGT Kevlar helmet when not wearing a MILES halo---is to drill a hole in the CVC shell center after covering it with a helmet cover and bolting the NVG mount to it to eliminate the strap and possibility of it falling off if the buckle unclips. The photo above shows the procedure to bolt the NVG mount to the PASGT Kevlar helmet and can be applied to the CVC helmet by placing the mount on the center front, marking the hole with a pen and then drilling through so a bolt/lock washer/nut can be fastened to secure the NVG mount. This can be done NOW even though the NVG mount is with the NVGs in supply in their case. The Bolt/washer/nut can be attached to the CVC shell awaiting its use to secure the NVG Mount. Some GOOD news to report: I found the Kevlar helmet screw and chin post nut (U.S. Cavalry Store parts # 0911000280004 and 0911000100000 .70 cents each or NSN through Army supply system) will secure the NVG mount to the front center of the CVC. See photos below. A longer screw/bolt and nut combination will be needed when/if we get the thicker, ballistic CVC shells. I used a hammer and a nail to punch through the thin non-ballistic shell and the screw cut its way through when turned to secure the mount (it can be done in the field with minimal tools). A drill will work faster for mass production.

However, if you are in a force-on-force training situation using MILES gear you will need the strap to wear over the helmet HALO by the FRONT of the NVG mount going on the outside of the the HALO and brow of the helmet, yet UNDERNEATH the MILES HALO at the back lip of the helmet using the plastic "U" clip. You will need 100 mph tape to secure this less-than-ideal set-up.

Secure NVG mounting to the CVC via the center bolt will insure the vehicle crewman can see outside, head-out with the best possible image intensifier capabilities.

The absolute best solution to this problem would be a vehicle communications-capable Kevlar helmet with sound proofing that can be lowered over the ears or taken away by a switch/lever. Then vehicle crews would have to wear only one helmet and not have a different dismount-the-vehicle-fight-on-foot helmet bouncing around in side the vehicle, cluttering it up and making itself unavailable when needed.

Dismounting Infantry Camouflage

Much is already known about this area since its life/death for the man fighting on foot. However, over the years we have lost the "ragtop" Kevlar helmet cover-level of camouflage in favor of a peacetime-Army garrison look where the Soldier's last name and rank insignia (blood type is a wise inclusion) are sewn or marked on the helmet front. Recent combat FTXs where night vision devices are widely used show that the lack of helmet camouflage is THE biggest give-away to an enemy. When you look through Night Vision Devices, you see a bewildering array of indistinct shapes. Before you fire or sound the alarm you need certainty. If you are able to not give a distinct shape by camouflage "rag top" strips on your "fritz" kevlar helmet, you will have a battlefield advantage. Getting this is the problem.

Consider the magnitude of the problem--dozens of armies now have "fritz" shape kevlar helmets. Including Communist Red China----just because you see a "fritz" shapes does NOT mean its "friendly".

2. Move: The Bullpup weapon's compactness aids in mobility on foot. Notice the better 3-point helmet suspension than our Kevlar PASGT helmets have to keep brim out of the eyes for movement/shooting. All are wearing tactical load bearing vests distributing their weight evenly with less fatigue. All are wearing jungle-boot copies. M9-type wire cutter bayonets standard to close combat and cut wire for mobility. The XT86 was first introduced publicly in 1994 in several different prototypes utilizing different design philosophies and incorporating features of advanced designes of the time. The production T86 was first shown in 1997, and shows design maturity and evolution from the original prototypes. Its design incorporated features found on the US M177, HK, SIG and AUG assult weapons. An integrated scope, interchangable parts with the T65K2, and built in support for the T85 grenade launcher, offered in several variants make this a formidable and versatile assult weapon. The T86 is undergoing series production and is slowly being introduced into service. The Type 95 assult rifle was introduced in 1995 as a vastly improved Type 87. Its shares similarities with the Giat FAMAS bullpup design, and its tactical operation is similar to the British SA80. Polymer materials in its construction help reduce the total weight of the rifle. Its light weight, integrated sight, 5.8mm round, high reliability and versatility makes the Type 95 an accurate and deadly weapon for the PLA.

3. Communicate: no commo gear depicted.

4. Survive: Kevlar helmets providing equivalent ballistic protection as our own. Type 97 uniform has camouflage coloring similar to our own BDUs. Left sleeve has a pocket (good idea). Rank insignia on shoulder epaulets (good idea). Even has Fastex-type quick-release buckles. Where is their water bottles/canteens? Perhaps they will not stray far from their wheeled armored car. No camouflage on face, body or armored car (don't count on it when the shooting starts).

1. Don't expect that if you see the familiar shape of a Kevlar "fritz" PASGT helmet that its "friendly". We must stop allowing our fritz-helmet outlines to show and put ragtop camouflage on our helmets and NOT BE SEEN.

2. Don't expect the enemy only to have AKM-type weaponry or that they cannot shoot to long distances