CADPAT

Canada's desire for a new soldier system dated back to November 1988 and closely followed 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 led 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 CTS Project.[2]

Once CADPAT temperate woodland was finalized, field tests began in 1995. After satisfactory results, CADPAT was adopted by the Canadian Army in 1997; however, testing was not concluded until 2001 once the pattern was trademarked.[3]

Soldiers from the Canadian Grenadier Guards wearing CADPAT AR in Afghanistan, 2009

The first operational use of the temperate woodland pattern was reported in September 2001 with Canadian soldiers serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Palladium Rotation 09.[4] The first operational use of the CADPAT arid regions variant overseas was reported during the War in Afghanistan, when Taliban prisoners of war were seen escorted by armed Canadian commandos in the camo. This nearly made things complicated for the Department of National Defence, since it had said that no Canadian commandos were officially in Afghanistan.[4]

In 2019, tests were conducted for plans to eventually replace the temperate and arid regions patterns in service with the Canadian Armed Forces.[5][6][7] Under the Soldier Operational Clothing and Equipment Modernization (SOCEM) project, the Department of National Defence was seeking feedback and advice from users for the trial camouflage known as Prototype J before it made its decision.[8][9] In 2021, the new multi-terrain CADPAT was selected as the replacement.[10] The new camouflage pattern is expected to be adopted by 2027.[8]

The Canadian Armed Forces has developed four operational variations of CADPAT: temperate woodland (TW), arid regions (AR), winter operations (WO), and multi-terrain (MT).[5]

The temperate woodland pattern became the standard issue for the Canadian Forces Land Force Command in 2002, with the Canadian Forces Air Command following suit in 2004. In 2021, the Canadian Armed Forces selected a new CADPAT variant, multi-terrain pattern, to replace the TW and AR patterns, with both being phased out over the coming years, and the patterned uniform becoming the "daily wear" uniform.[11]

Temperate woodland

Members of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in CADPAT TW operational dress

The temperate woodland pattern (TW) is designed for use in forest and grassland environments, with its mix of light green, dark green, brown, and black.[5] The pattern 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 TW pattern provides protection from observation by the naked eye and night vision devices, with the pattern incorporating near-infrared technology at the ink level to help conceal the wearer against near-infrared optical devices. The pattern is optimized for a gate rate of 30 to 350 metres against a 3-power optical sight.[12]

Arid regions

Close up of the CADPAT AR pattern

Canadian soldiers in CADPAT AR operational dress

The arid regions pattern (AR) is designed for use in desert, near desert, and savannah conditions, incorporating three shades of brown.[5] The AR pattern also features two additional arm pockets and Velcro on the arms compared to the TW uniform.[4] The AR pattern was developed concurrently with the trials of TW pattern. However, after Canadian Forces were deployed to Afghanistan, the AR pattern was expedited with the intent that it would be issued to soldiers in summer 2002.[4] The AR pattern also incorporates infra-red technology for night operation.[12]

Winter operations

Members of the Royal 22nd Regiment in CADPAT WO pants

The winter operations (WO) pattern was created for snow-covered or mixed woodland and snowy terrain.[5] The snow camouflage pattern was introduced as an upgrade to the monochrome winter whites to further enhance the Canadian soldier's camouflage capability by day and night. It also includes Near Infra-Red technology.[12]

A Canadian airman in CADPAT (left); a U.S. marine dressed in MARPAT

CADPAT was the first digital camouflage pattern to be issued operationally.[16] Many debates speculate the pattern was the direct inspiration for the United States Marine Corps pursuit and adoption of their own camouflage pattern MARPAT when replacing their Battle Dress Uniform and Desert Camouflage Uniform in late 2001 to early 2002. The MARPAT pattern issued in 2001 used the same print screens as the CADPAT TW pattern and the trial pattern for the CADPAT AR pattern.[17]

• List of military clothing camouflage patterns
• Uniforms of the Canadian Armed Forces

• CA patent 2442558, Jensen, Gert Hvedstrup; Clausen, Svend & Winther, Kaj Torben, "Camouflage material for the temperate environment", published 2003-02-13

Wikimedia Commons has media related to CADPAT.

• Clothe the Soldier - Archived website for the Clothe the Soldier, an R&D program that led to CADPAT
• Digital Camouflage History - from Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corporation