Army Aircrew Combat Uniform or A2CU is a non combustible combat uniform.
It increases crew comfort (military equipment/drivers/pilots)
and provides protection against fire during pre-flight preparation,
refueling, during flight and when performing other operations in aviation.
A loose jacket is fastened with a metal zipper.
Stand collar. Shoulders have reinforcing pads.
Mortice breast pockets are with metal zipper and flap closures with Velcro fasteners.
Patch pockets are on the sleeves with flaps with additional zipper.
The reinforcing layer is on the elbows. Adjustable waist is with a belt sewn into the jacket, whose fixation is Velcro.
On the chest there are two pockets for pens (pencils).
Pants have seven pockets: two thighs, two outer pockets on the shins (for tools),
on the left thigh - a pocket for a knife and two side hanging pockets.
Adjusting the waist is made with slings and additional loops under the waist belt.
For the sewing of the A2CU form, Nomex fabric (Nomex) is used,
which contains 92 percent of Nomex meta-aramid fibers, 5 percent Kevlar and 3 percent of P-140 antistatic fiber.
Nomex fabric has a low thermal conductivity, providing protection against burns of II and III degree, stable antistatic and ergonomic.
The fire-resistant and heat-resistant properties of the fabric,
laid down at the molecular level, are constant and persist throughout the entire life cycle.
In addition, Nomex has the property of self-extinguishing, it does not burn,
does not smoke, does not melt and does not form smudges, and tolerates washing and dry-cleaning.
Kevlar, which is part of the fabric, improves the resistance of the material to rupture during sudden flashes
of flame and at the same time increases the level of human protection.
Under the influence of heat, the pores of the fabric are closed, which reduces the penetration of hot air inside.
With prolonged exposure to heat, the fabric is compacted and forms a strong charred surface,
which continues to provide optimal thermal insulation of the body.
Ingredients: 92% Meta-Aramid, 5% Para-Aramid and 3% Conductive Fiber
Camouflage "MULTICAM" is developed by the American company "Crye Precision" together "U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center.
The latter is also known as the U.S Army Natick labs laboratory.
Each operation still required special camouflage.
This greatly hampered the work of the supply services and reduced the security of the soldiers.
Even with the start of operations in Afghanistan and the new company in Iraq,
after the introduction of the new universal digital camouflage (Digital),
the situation has not changed radically.
It became obvious that the need for a new single universal pattern that allows you to hide a fighter
in any terrain and at any distance from the observer.
It should mask equally well both against the background of vegetation,
and against the background of desert or rocky terrain.
Equally well sheltered against the backdrop of urban buildings or ruins,
and with different light conditions. In any climate zone and at any time of the year.
It seemed that with all desire, such a drawing is simply impossible to obtain. But the creators went to the trick.
They used the weaknesses of human vision and the imperfection of the eye design.
In theory, in order for camouflage to cover at a long distance, it should consist of large blurry spots.
At the same distance, and especially against the background of foliage and vegetation,
when the human eye especially clearly sees small objects, the drawing should be made of small rounded elements of the predominant background.
The developers noticed that the prevailing background in almost all regions of the globe is very similar.
These are gradients green and brown.
The discovery for them was the fact that there is no black color in nature,
although it is commonly used in camouflage drawings in most countries of the world.
By combining the data, and conducting a computer simulation with the overlay of more than a thousand layers of images,
the developers got a picture, which is known as “MULTICAM”.
It accepts shades of the environment.
