Original A-TACS AU Camo (Arid Urban) was developed by Digital Concealment Systems, (DCS) to answer the call for better and more effective camouflage system integration for Special Operations personnel in any service branch from military to law enforcement. A-TACS AU is designed as a universal pattern for a wide range of operational environments with additional supporting color and design variants following it’s initial introduction.
Many of the modern digital camouflage patterns currently in use by the tactical community have flaws. There are two major categories of Tactical Concealment camouflage systems that have become the baseline for the past half-century.
Digital Geometric-based patterns – Designed to blend into the “background noise” of the environment, the hard edges and pixelated shapes used to create the distortion effect do not replicate the shapes, forms and shadows of the environment they are deployed in-especially when viewed through optics. The ninety-degree angles and limited use of natural colors can in many cases, make detection easier making these types of patterns not as effective as they should be.
Organic “Blob” Camouflage systems – The oldest of the two classes of patterns and the most common, these patterns employ interlocking irregular blobs in variable colors and tones to simulate environmental terrain. The color palettes are often limited and the designs can be overly simplistic due limited printing and engraving technology at the time.
A-TACS Camo was the first pattern in a new class of hybrid patterns that fit into neither category and addressed and improved on the old style designs in three ways.
1. – Replace un-natural square pixels with organic pixels. Utilizing a unique process, we created a palette of natural colors digitally sampled from real-world elements in carefully controlled lighting. The pattern is then created using a mathematical algorithm that writes “organically-shaped” pixels using the specific color information given. The resulting pattern while still digital, is far more organic in appearance.
2. – Use small patterns to create larger more distinct shapes designed to work at a distance. Small shapes create larger shapes and larger shapes are organized into a distinct pattern with no horizontal or vertical orientation. This unique “pattern within a pattern” concept allows A-TACS® to effectively break the human outline at great distances thereby, minimizing the “blobbing” effect of other patterns when viewed from a distance.
3. – More effective use of color-range produces a better concealment system. A-TACS® is created using a far greater range of inter-mingled natural colors than was previously possible. The overall base color for the cast is a neutral tan which is designed for use in open, rocky or arid environments.
A new version of our original A-TACS AU Camo pattern, A-TACS AU-X (Arid Urban Xtreme) utilizes the proven color palette of A-TACS AU in a new way so that not only will new AU-X work when combined with Original A-TACS AU gear, it will also work well with A-TACS iX gear for a complete multi environmental concealment solution with a wide range of options for mixing and matching gear. Look for it soon.
New A-TACS iX (Intermediate Xtreme) Camo is the first in a new generation of concealment from A-TACS Camo. New A-TACS iX is the flagship pattern a new “X series” line of camouflage patterns – the central component of a complete multi-environmental concealment solution. A-TACS iX utilizes the very latest in printing and camouflage design technology combined with the perfect blend of colors from the already popular A-TACS AU and FG camouflage patterns to create a pattern with vastly improved depth and definition.
A-TACS iX Camo also incorporates enhanced edge detail in the transitional areas between light and shadow within the pattern to create the added illusion of depth while maintaining the unique A-TACS Camo “pattern within a pattern” concept. New A-TACS iX Camo is best suited for transitional environments with a blended mix of intermediate greens and desert tans.
A new version of our original A-TACS FG Camo pattern, A-TACS FG-X (Foliage Green Xtreme) utilizes the proven color palette of A-TACS FG in a new way so that not only will new FG-X work when combined with Original A-TACS FG gear, it will also work well with A-TACS iX gear for a complete multi environmental concealment solution with a wide range of options for mixing and matching gear. Look for it soon.
Ghost is a new pattern derived from both A-TACS iX and LE-X. Ghoste is designed and a tactical option for Military, Government and Law Enforcement Urban Operations.
Ghost combined eleven variable shades of neutral grey that not only gives it and aggressive look, but is also very effective in urban settings. Look for A-TACS Ghost on a wide variety of gear from select A-TACS Camo CORE Elite brand Partners in late 2017.
Designed to blend with arctic and snow covered environments, A-TACS AT-X combined subtle grey and blue tones over and ice-white background to create the ultimate concealment solution for overwhites and insulated gear. AT-X is also available on select Nylon Gear from many of the A-TACS Camo CORE Elite Brand Partners.
A-TACS LE-X (Law Enforcement Xtreme). is a new and enhanced version of our original Law Enforcement A-TACS LE Camo.
Like the original A-TACS LE pattern, the new LE-X variant was developed primarily for use by Urban and Metropolitan SRT teams conducting low-light operations. The pattern is also suited to a wide range of other tactical military and law enforcement applications.
The Black, blue and grey coloration in A-TACS LE-X also works well with the black nylon gear utilized by many SRT personnel, which allows for easier integration into service.
A-TACS LE-X can be found on a wide range of uniform and nylon gear options from our CORE group of A-TACS Camo brand partners including TRU-SPEC, Tactical Tailor, OPS Gear, Tactical Performance Corp. and others