Netherlands Fractal Pattern

Last updated
Netherlands Fractal Pattern
Netherlands Fractal Pattern.jpg
NFP-Green variant
Type Military camouflage pattern
Place of origin Netherlands
Service history
In service2019 - present
Used bySee Users
Wars Resolute Support Mission in Operation Freedom's Sentinel
Production history
Designer Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and the Dutch Ministry of Defence
Designed2008
ManufacturerCarrington Textiles
Produced2014-Present
No. produced13,500 sets (For first delivery)
VariantsSee Variants

The Netherlands Fractal Pattern (NFP) was developed as a collaboration project between the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and the Dutch Ministry of Defence in order to replace all the camouflage patterns in use by the Dutch military. [1]

Contents

History

In 2008, research and development into a new camouflage pattern began with five patterns being analyzed, consisting of fractal, desert, woodland, urban and universal. [2] Later on, eight patterns were being studied for potential adoption, which includes universal, multicamo for use in more than one environment and the others are terrain-based patterns. [2] The criteria being used for the adoption of a new pattern must show its effectiveness, the psychological effect on the user and its uniqueness and distinctiveness from other camouflage patterns being used by other countries for consideration to adopt the pattern in Dutch military service. [2] [3] According to Ben Vlasman, head of the Joint Soldier Systems Knowledge Centre (Dutch : Joint Kenniscentrum Militair & Uitrusting), the NFP was made in order to be made recognizable to the public aside from the military. [4]

The NFP was first sighted publicly in 2009 in Army Day events. [5] It was reported in 2011 that NFM was offering combat clothing made with NFP camo pattern. [6] In 2012, a solicitation was made for manufacturers to make the NFP in combat uniforms. [7] Among the requirements made were for the clothes to be made with pattern while using 180 grams of Flame Retardant fabric with insect repellent qualities and an initial delivery of 13,500 sets in the first year in NFP Green. [7]

In 2013, it was reported that some operators with Korps Commandotroepen's 104 Commando Company (Dutch : 104 Commandotroepencompagnie) were wearing NFP camos during anti-terrorist exercises in Israel. [8]

The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that the NFP was adopted into service on October 26, 2014. [4] At the time, the Netherlands Marine Corps was using U.S. Woodland uniforms, but they are expected to eventually phase NFP into service as well. [4] The pattern was officially issued to the 4th Company of the combined German-Dutch 414 Tank Battalion during ILÜ LandOp 2019. [9] These were in tanker coveralls. [10] The rest of the Dutch military will be issued the NFP throughout 2020. [11]

The interim uniform in NFP, based on the Dutch marines' combat uniform, to be worn until 2023. Nieuw-pak.jpg
The interim uniform in NFP, based on the Dutch marines' combat uniform, to be worn until 2023.

With the adoption of the Revision Baltskin Viper P6N ballistic helmets in 2019 with a full fielding expected by 2022, issued green helmets with the Dutch Army will have issued NFP Green/Tan helmet covers. [12] [13]

During Enforce Tac 19, numerous manufacturers like Berghaus and Marom Dolphin, the latter for their Fusion load carrying system under the Improved Operational Soldier System (IOSS) (Dutch : Verbeterd Operationeel Soldaten Systeem) (VOSS), offered military gear with NFP camo pattern as an option. [14] The VOSS in NFP camo was also on display at the NEDS exhibition in Rotterdam on November 28, 2019. [15]

The first use of the NFP in combat operations was with Dutch troops operating under Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan in January 2020. [16]

On August 10, 2020, it was announced that full adoption of the NFP was pushed back from the intended 2023 deadline due to a contract dispute. [17] Dutch forces will continue to use Multicam camo uniforms as an interim solution if deployed outside of the Netherlands in contingency areas. [17]

On September 20, 2022, it's reported that half a million of Dutch troops will use NFP-based uniforms made by Carrington Textiles under Dutch specifications. [18]

In April 2024, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced that NFP-based raingear will be issued in NFP Multitone. [19]

Design

The design of the NFP has the fractals made with irregular shaped spots and no square pixels. [5] The pattern's design involved the use of photographs of various backgrounds in various theatres of operations. [9] [11] The fractals in the pattern would be used to confuse and disorient someone when looking at them. [9] In an issue of Ontdek je vlekje dated in April 2019, the research work on the NFP took more than 10 years to develop. [11] It's suggested by Sjef van Gaalen that the NFP's development is a form of Dutch national identity due to the unique fractal camo created by TNO. [3]

The pattern will see its use with combat gear under the Defense Operational Clothing System (DOCS) (Dutch : Defensie Operationeel Kleding Systeem) (DOKS) and the VOSS under the Individual Soldier System (Dutch : Individueel Soldaat Systeem) (ISS), which was established to replace combat gear adopted in the 1990s. [20] [21]

Colours

The colors used in NFP Green consist of Light Olive, Olive Drab, Pea Green, Olive Green, Bottle Green, Russet Brown, and a near-black Dark Green. [9]

The colors used in NFP Tan consist of Stone, Light Earth, Dark Earth, Light Olive, Olive Drab, Bottle Green and Dark Chocolate. [9]

For NFP Multitone, the colors used include Light Earth, Dark Earth, Light Green and Bottle Green. [9]

Variants

NFP has been developed with the following variants being created/researched: [22] [9]

Users

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert Battle Dress Uniform</span> US arid-environment camouflage uniform

The Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU) is a U.S. arid-environment camouflage battle uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces from the early 1980s to the early to mid 1990s, most notably during the Persian Gulf War. Although the U.S. military has long since abandoned the pattern, it is still in widespread use by militaries across the world as of the early 2020s.

<i>Flecktarn</i> German military camouflage pattern

Flecktarn is a family of three-, four-, five- or six-color disruptive camouflage patterns, the most common being the five-color pattern, consisting of dark green, grey-green, red brown, and black over a light green or tan base depending on the manufacturer. The original German five-color pattern was designed for use in European temperate woodland terrain. A three-color variation called Tropentarn is intended for arid and desert conditions; the German Bundeswehr wore it in Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MARPAT</span> US Marine Corps camouflage pattern

MARPAT is a multi-scale camouflage pattern in use with the United States Marine Corps, designed in 2001 and introduced from late 2002 to early 2005 with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU), which replaced the Camouflage Utility Uniform. Its design and concept are based on the Canadian CADPAT pattern. The pattern is formed of small rectangular pixels of color. In theory, it is a far more effective camouflage than standard uniform patterns because it mimics the dappled textures and rough boundaries found in natural settings. It is also known as the "digital pattern" or "digi-cammies" because of its micropattern (pixels) rather than the old macropattern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Netherlands Army</span> Land branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces

The Royal Netherlands Army is the land branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. Though the Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, its origins date back to 1572, when the Staatse Leger was raised making the Dutch standing army one of the oldest in the world. It fought in the Napoleonic Wars, World War II, the Indonesian War of Independence and the Korean War, as well as served with NATO on the Cold War frontiers in West Germany from the 1950s to the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Army Combat Uniform</span> Combat utility uniform of the United States Army, Air Force, and Space Force

The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Space Force. Within U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, it is referred to as the OCP Uniform, rather than the Army Combat Uniform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat uniform</span> Military uniform

A combat uniform, also called field uniform, battledress or military fatigues, is a casual type of uniform used by military, police, fire and other public uniformed services for everyday fieldwork and combat duty purposes, as opposed to dress uniforms worn in functions and parades. It generally consists of a jacket, trousers and shirt or T-shirt, all cut to be looser and more comfortable than more formal uniforms. Design may depend on regiment or service branch, e.g. army, navy, air force, marines, etc. In the army branches, fabrics tend to come in camouflage, disruptive pattern or else green, brown or khaki monochrome, in order to approximate the background and make the soldier less visible in nature. In Western dress codes, field uniform is considered equivalent to civilian casual wear. As such, field uniform is considered less formal than service dress uniform, generally aimed at office or staff use, as well as mess dress uniform, and full dress uniform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disruptive Pattern Material</span> Camouflage pattern used in British and some Commonwealth militaries

Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) is the commonly used name of a camouflage pattern used by the British Armed Forces as well as many other armed forces worldwide, particularly in former British colonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MultiCam</span> Camouflage pattern

MultiCam is a camouflage pattern designed for use in a wide range of environments and conditions which was specifically developed and is produced by American company Crye Precision. As a result of the pattern's effectiveness across disparate environments and regions, it has found extensive adoption globally. Variants of it, some unlicensed, are in use with armed forces worldwide, particularly with special operations units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert Camouflage Uniform</span> Arid-environment camouflage uniform used by U.S. military from mid-1990s to early 2010s

The Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) is an arid-environment camouflage uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. In terms of pattern and textile cut, it is identical to the U.S. military's Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) uniform, but features a three-color desert camouflage pattern of dark brown, pale olive green, and beige, as opposed to the four-color woodland pattern of the BDU. It replaced the previous Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU) which featured a six-color "chocolate chip" pattern of beige, pale olive green, two tones of brown, and black and white rock spots. Although completely phased out of frontline use in the U.S. Armed Forces, some pieces and equipment printed in the DCU camouflage pattern are used in limited numbers such as MOPP suits and/or vests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert Night Camouflage</span> Grid camouflage pattern

The Desert Night Camouflage pattern is a two-color grid camouflage pattern used by the United States military during the Gulf War. It was designed to aid soldiers in concealment from Soviet-based night vision devices (NVDs). The pattern is now considered obsolete due to the increase in capability of foreign night vision devices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soldier 2000</span>

Soldier 2000 is a military camouflage pattern developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and is in use with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It is designed to be effective in all terrains and seasons encountered across South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Camouflage Pattern</span> United States Army military camouflage pattern

The Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) is a digital military camouflage pattern formerly used by the United States Army in their Army Combat Uniform. Technicians at Natick Soldier Systems Center attempted to devise a uniform pattern that would mask the wearer in all seasonal environments. Laboratory and field tests from 2003 to 2004 showed a pattern named "All-Over-Brush" to provide the best concealment of the patterns tested. All-Over-Brush was selected as the winner over ten other patterns. The disadvantage of an all-in-one pattern is that it is a combination of what is effective in many different environments and is less effective in a particular environment when compared to a specialized coloration designed specifically for that environment. The winning All-Over-Brush pattern was not used as the final UCP. Instead, U.S. Army leadership utilized pixellated images taken from Canadian CADPAT and US Marine Corps MARPAT, then recolored them based on three universal colors developed in the Army's 2002-2004 tests, to be called the UCP. While the pixelated pattern of the UCP is similar to the MARPAT and CADPAT camouflage patterns used by the United States Marine Corps and the Canadian Armed Forces, its coloration differs significantly. The final UCP was then adopted without field testing against other patterns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Woodland</span> 1980s military camouflage pattern

The U.S. Woodland is a camouflage pattern that was used as the default camouflage pattern issued to the United States Armed Forces from 1981, with the issue of the Battle Dress Uniform, until its replacement in the mid to late 2000s. It is a four color, high contrast disruptive pattern with irregular markings in green, brown, sand and black. It is also known unofficially by its colloquial moniker of "M81" after the Battle Dress Uniform it was first used on, though this term was not officially used by the U.S. military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M05</span> Finnish military camouflage

The M05, sometimes known as the M05 Terrain Pattern, is a family of military camouflage patterns used by the Finnish Defence Forces on uniforms and other equipment. The pattern is licensed by the Finnish Defence Forces and became available to the public on 26 September 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camouflage Central-Europe</span> French woodland camouflage pattern

The Camouflage Central-Europe is the standard camouflage pattern of the French Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CADPAT</span> Computer-generated digital camouflage pattern used by the Canadian Armed Forces

Canadian Disruptive Pattern is the computer-generated digital camouflage pattern developed for use by the Canadian Armed Forces. Four operational variations of CADPAT have been used by the Canadian Armed Forces: a temperate woodland pattern, an arid regions pattern, a winter operations pattern, and a multi-terrain pattern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frog Skin</span> U.S. military camouflage pattern

Frog Skin, also known as Duck Hunter, is a battledress camouflage pattern with mottle and disruptive coloration to blend into the environment similar to a frog's crypsis skin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xingkong (camouflage)</span> Chinese military camouflage pattern

Xingkong, is a military camouflage pattern adopted in 2019 by all branches of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Introduced in 2019, the Xingkong pattern replaced the Type 07 camouflage on the Type 07 service uniforms used by regular units. The new uniform and Xingkong camouflage were first seen in late September 2019 before the celebration ceremony for the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMR camouflage</span> Digital military camouflage pattern in use by the Russian Armed Forces

EMR ; or Universal Camouflage Colourway in English, is a military camouflage pattern in use by the Russian Armed Forces. It is sometimes referred to by the unofficial nicknames RUSPAT, Tetris, Tsifra and Digital Flora. EMR camouflage is the standard camouflage pattern of the Russian Military's VKBO All-Season Uniform.

References

  1. ↑ "Netherlands Fractal Pattern" (in Dutch). Militaire Uitrusting. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  2. 1 2 3 "Dutch Seek New Camo Pattern". Soldier Systems. 2008-11-08. Archived from the original on 2016-09-28. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  3. 1 2 Sjef van Gaalen (2017-09-29). "Introducing The National Algorithm".
  4. 1 2 3 "Dutch Army Adopts Netherlands Fractal Pattern Camouflage". Soldier Systems. 2014-10-27. Archived from the original on 2018-05-09. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  5. 1 2 "Netherlands Fractal Pattern Green" (in Dutch). Militaire Uitrusting. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  6. ↑ "More on New Dutch Camo". Soldier Systems. 2011-07-22. Archived from the original on 2019-02-28. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  7. 1 2 "Breaking News – Dutch Seeking New Combat Uniforms". Soldier Systems. 2012-08-09. Archived from the original on 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  8. ↑ ""New" Dutch Camo on Deployment". Soldier Systems. 2013-02-11. Archived from the original on 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bob Morrison (2019-09-28). "New M19 Netherlands Fractal Patterns". Joint Forces. Archived from the original on 2019-10-15. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  10. ↑ "New Tanker Coveralls for Dutch Army". Soldier Systems. 2019-09-26. Archived from the original on 2019-09-27. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  11. 1 2 3 Jan Malschaert. "Speurtocht naar nieuw camouflagepatroon" (in Dutch). Ontdek je vlekje. Archived from the original on 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  12. ↑ "Dutch Army Receives Initial Revision Helmets". Soldier Systems. 2019-08-13. Archived from the original on 2019-08-13. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  13. ↑ "Dutch MoD Orders Next-Generation Helmets from Revision". Monch. 2019-09-10. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  14. ↑ "Enforce Tac 19 – Berghaus Crusader Pack in Dutch Fractal Camouflage Pattern". Soldier Systems. 2019-03-07. Archived from the original on 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  15. ↑ Andrew White (2019-12-05). "Netherlands MoD updates VOSS soldier system". Jane's. Archived from the original on 2019-12-07. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  16. ↑ "Netherlands Fractal Pattern in Action". Soldier Systems. 2020-01-11. Archived from the original on 2020-01-11. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  17. 1 2 "Contract Dispute Delays Fielding of New Dutch Combat Uniforms, Interim Solution Selected". Soldier Systems. 2020-08-10. Archived from the original on 2020-08-30. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
  18. ↑ "Almost Half Million Dutch Soldiers to Wear Camouflage Fabric Developed in the UK - Soldier Systems Daily".
  19. ↑ https://magazines.defensie.nl/landmacht/2024/03/04_contract-getekend-voor-nieuwe-gevechtskleding
  20. ↑ "New Dutch Armed Forces Combat Helmet". European Security & Defense. 2019-08-26. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  21. ↑ "DOCS, VOSS and NFP - A look at the new Dutch soldiers Individual System". Europäische Sicherheit & Technik. 2020-01-06. Archived from the original on 2020-03-13. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  22. ↑ "Netherlands Fractal Pattern Update". Soldier Systems. 2019-05-30. Archived from the original on 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  23. ↑ "Dutch and Belgian Navies to adopt new, bluer camo scheme". 20 December 2019.
  24. ↑ "Camouflagepatronen - Materieel - Defensie.nl". 9 February 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.