The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of Us Warfare by James F. Dunnigan
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Dirty Little Secrets
Camouflage Developments
by James Dunnigan
December 24, 2007
Discussion Board on this DLS topic
Military aircraft are keeping up with camouflage developments seen in combat
uniforms. Some aircraft are now using the same "digital" patterns found on the
infantry, and their vehicles. Air forces use camouflage patterns for two reasons.
First, is to make it more difficult for enemy aircraft above, or enemy troops
below, from quickly locating the aircraft. For that reason, aircraft have two
different camouflage patterns. On top of the aircraft, is a pattern that makes
the aircraft blend in with the ground below (when viewed by an enemy pilot
above). On the bottom of the aircraft is no pattern at all, but rather a bland
monochrome that makes the aircraft harder to pick out from below. The U.S. Air
Force has four "looking down" patterns, for different types of terrain. There's
even one for the arctic (while, gray and black)[PHOTO]. The second use of the patterns
is to make it easier to pick out your own sides aircraft. The camouflage
doesn't make you invisible, just harder to spot in a hurry.
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