Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT)[1] is the computer-generated digital camouflage pattern currently used by the Canadian Forces (CF). CADPAT is designed to reduce the likelihood of detection by night vision devices.[1] The basic uniform consists of a wide brim combat hat, helmet cover, T-shirt, tunic, trousers, fragmentation vest, and tactical vest. It was the first digital pattern introduced in the Canadian forces. The pattern was copyrighted upon its introduction.
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Canada's desire for a Soldier Systems dates back to November 1988 and closely follows efforts in many NATO countries. The first research effort, called Integrated Protective Clothing and Equipment (IPCE) Technology Demonstration was initiated in 1995 but then was cancelled, due to high systems cost and failure to meet the majority of the requirements. Ongoing operations in the mid 1990s, lead to the creation of the Clothe the Soldier (CTS) Project which directly addressed the NATO Soldier System Capability areas of Survivability and Sustainability. The Canadian Disruptive Pattern was a part of ongoing research and implemented during the Clothe Soldier Project (CTS).[2]
In development for the better part of a decade, the pattern comes in three varieties: Temperate Woodland (TW), Arid Region (AR), and Winter/Arctic (WA). The temperate woodland pattern became the standard issue for the Army in 2002, with the Air Force following suit in 2004. Uniforms and equipment in CADPAT material replaced the olive green material in use since the early 1960s.
Some civilian firms are licensed to sell clothing and accessories using CADPAT-like material (though not the same IR-defeating type used by the CF), as long as the patterns do not match official CF uniform and equipment patterns. These are commercially available from a wide variety of sources.
CADPAT TW has four specific colours — light green, dark green, brown, and black — and was first introduced in 1996 on the helmet cover for the new CG634 helmet then coming into service. At the same time, the pattern was also introduced on a new Soldier's Individual Camouflage Net. The CADPAT TW uniform allows Canadian soldiers protection from observation by the naked eye and night vision devices.
Concurrent with the trials of CADPAT TW, work was carried out to identify a uniform for operations in desert, near desert, and savannah environmental conditions. This three-colour pattern, known as CADPAT Arid Regions (AR), incorporates three different colours of brown. The CADPAT design for Arid Regions has been approved and the transfer of this digital technology is ongoing to the textiles industry, CADPAT AR also features two additional arm pockets and Velcro on the arms compared to the TW uniform. In light of the deployment of the Immediate Reaction Force to Afghanistan, the CADPAT AR project was expedited with the intent that it would be issued to soldiers in summer 2002.
Introduced as an upgrade to the current monochrome winter whites to further enhance the Canadian soldier's camouflage capability by day and night. Includes Near Infra-red (NIR) technology.[3]
Defence Research and Development Canada based at CFB Suffield (DRDC-S) has a requirement to develop a new urban pattern for the Canadian Forces based on the three major metropolitan areas of Canada: Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. This new pattern is known as the Canadian Urban Environment Pattern (CUEPAT).
According to the Advance Contract Award Notice, "The current CBR [chemical, biological and radiological] individual protective equipment (IPE) used by the Canadian military is provided in a woodland [CADPAT TW] or desert [CADPAT AR] camouflage. A camouflage suited to the Canadian urban environment is required when the military operates in urban terrain."
It has been proposed that CUEPAT could also be used on the standard combat uniform for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (which is presently using the American Army Combat Uniform) or the Canadian Special Operations Forces. Some even suggested it could replace CADPAT TW as the default pattern for Navy and even Air Force personnel wearing the standard combat uniform or the Navy's boarding party uniform (which is presently blue or tan). This suggestion is supported by the fact that grey is neutral and is also the basic colour of ships and airport aprons (although little is known about the new pattern, grey is the basic colour of most urban camouflage and is expected to be CUEPAT's basic colour). Green is also traditionally associated with the Army and rarely with the Navy or Air Force, which might become a source of confusion. Navy personnel wear a Navy Combat Dress when aboard a ship or on a naval base, CADPAT TW combat uniforms being worn only when operating with the Army or Air Force (especially the "Purple Trades").[4][5]
The Canadian Forces were working on a new combat boot made with the CADPAT pattern. There was some negative feedback from Canadian soldiers, and due to this, the Canadian Forces is reviewing the requirement for the CADPAT print boots, and the newest issue General Purpose (GP) boots - similar to the outgoing Mark III boots, are black. Various trials on boots are GORE-TEX and colors, and are ongoing. Cadpat footwear based on the Mark IV boot is now on trial by 1 Canadian Field Hospital, in CFB Petawawa, Ontario as well as select soldiers on course within the PPCLI.
The Converger CADPAT Rainsuit (CCR) is a combat clothing systems equipped with a Waterproof, Moisture Vapour Permeable (WMVP) intended to provides protection from the wind and rain. The CCR is available in two variants, the CADPAT TW and CADPAT AR.[6]
The CTS Rucksack is a fielding Rucksack which was designed to provide soldiers the equipments needed in three variants. The CTS Rucksack is available in two different colors.[7]
The Fighting Order includes the Tactical Vest and the Fragmentation Protective Vest which was designed to provide the basic requirement of equipment immediately available for combat.
The Battle Order is a fighting order which was designed to support a soldier in combat zone during a period of 72 hours.
The Marching Order is a battle order Rucksack designed to provide the necessary equipments to support a soldier in combat zone during a indefinite period of time.
The early CADPAT uniforms tended to fade easily if washed in warm or hot water. Generally after 3-5 loads on a hot water setting, it would noticeably fade. Newer generations of the CADPAT uniform have improved to reduce fading, which has had poor reception among troops, as the faded uniforms tended to blend in better than their non-faded variants.
The Canadian Forces will receive a new CADPAT uniform from 2012. The new uniform known as "Improved Combat Uniform" or ICU, will receive 17 enhancements including[8] :
The pattern of the ICU will remain the same, and the CADPAT pattern will not be altered. In addition to the uniform modifications, DND has decided to adopt a different style of boots, similar to those currently in use in overseas operations. These improved boots will be brown or tan in color and consist of a suede material, versus the traditional black leather. The new boot design allows for improved air circulation, lighter boot, and the new color is more relevant to current operational situations.
The Department of National Defence estimates the production rate would be about 24,000 ICU uniforms per year. The decision to change the combat uniform is mostly due to problems with drying and it offers poor integration with Operational equipment. The other reason is the loss of color after only one year of use.[9]