CADPAT

Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT; ) is the computer-generated digital camouflage pattern first issued in 1997, then fully standardised by 2002 (completely replacing the obsolete olive-green uniform) and is currently used by the Canadian Armed Forces (CF). CADPAT TW is designed to reduce the likelihood of detection by night vision devices.
History.
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.
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 copyrighted. 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 use of CADPAT AR overseas was first reported 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. The use of CADPAT TW was reported in September 2001 with Canadian soldiers serving under Palladium Rotation 09.
In 2019, tests were conducted for plans to eventually replace CADPAT in service with the Canadian Forces. Under the Soldier Operational Clothing and Equipment Modernization (SOCEM) project, the DND is seeking feedback and advice from users of the trial camouflage known as Prototype J before a decision is made in 2022. A new camouflage pattern would be adopted by 2027.
The CADPAT TW variant is scheduled to be replaced by the CADPAT MT (Multi-Terrain) variant as the main camo pattern.
Pattern variations.
In development for the better part of a decade, the pattern comes in three varieties: temperate woodland (TW), arid region (AR), and winter/arctic (WA). The temperate woodland pattern became the standard issue for the Army in 2002, with the Air Force following suit in 2004. Uniforms and equipment in CADPAT material replaced the olive-green material in use since the early 1960s.
Temperate woodland.
The temperate woodland (TW) pattern has four specific colours—light green, dark green, brown, and black—and 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 CADPAT TW uniform allows Canadian soldiers protection from observation by the naked eye and night vision devices.
Arid regions.
Concurrent with the trials of CADPAT TW, work was carried out to identify a uniform for operations in desert, near desert, and savanna environmental conditions. This three-colour pattern, known as CADPAT arid regions (AR), incorporates three different colours of brown. The CADPAT design for arid regions has been approved, and the transfer of this digital technology is ongoing to the textiles industry. CADPAT AR also features two additional arm pockets and Velcro on the arms compared to the TW uniform. In light of the deployment of the Immediate Reaction Force to Afghanistan, the CADPAT AR project was expedited with the intent that it would be issued to soldiers in summer 2002.
Winter/arctic.
The winter/arctic 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 includes near infra-red (NIR) technology.
Urban.
Defence Research and Development Canada based at CFB Suffield (DRDC-S) has a requirement to develop a new urban pattern for the Canadian Forces based on the three major metropolitan areas of Canada: Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. This new pattern is known as the Canadian urban environment pattern (CUEPAT).