Well, the USMC got their MARPATs, the US Army has their ACUs; even the Navy is testing their own digital uniform...
But what about the USAF???
Well, if you airmen wonder if you will get a digital uniform? The answer is YES...
CLick image for Hi-Res image.
The new Airman Battle Uniform is ready for production and will be available in fiscal 2007. The new uniform design is a pixilated tiger stripe with four soft earth tones consisting of tan, gray, green and blue. The ABU will have a permanent crease and will be offered in 50-50 nylon-cotton blend permanent press fabric eliminating the need for winter and summer weight uniforms. The current projected mandatory wear date for the new ABU is fiscal 2011. The only thing that needs to be determined is if patches will be worn and the Air Force chief of staff will make that determination soon.
I was over at Mc Dill AFB last week to check the availability of the Army ACUs (I'm in the US Army Reserves) and I saw the final design of the fabric; Digital Tiger Stripes? Hmmm, never thought about that one.
The new uniform is reminiscent of the Old Tiger Stripe uniforms worn by USAF Para Rescue guys and the US Navy SEALs back in Vietnam.
Well, one thing's for certain, it looks far better than the first prototypes:
Blue Tiger Stripes??? You have got to be kidding me!
(Couldn't wear those with a straight face
)