Overview of the history of the development of camouflage uniforms and its influence on the current state of camouflage

• Published in: Вопросы безопасности no. 3; pp. 73 - 94
• Main Authors: Tikhanychev, Oleg Vasilyevich, Tikhanycheva, Evgeniya Olegovna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2024
• ISSN: 2409-7543; 2409-7543
• DOI: 10.25136/2409-7543.2024.3.40022

In the early stages of combat operations, the multi-colored coloring of the uniform served, along with other elements of visualization of the situation, to visually distinguish friendly troops from enemy troops, to separate troops by type and purpose, and not to ensure the secrecy of troops. The issue of camouflage of military equipment and structures, at this stage, has not yet been raised. With the increase in the range and accuracy of weapons, with the advent of automatic weapons, the field military uniform gradually lost the function of identification and acquired the function of camouflage. At first it was a monochromatic khaki coloring, which provides an imitation camouflage function, then a camouflage coloring that adds deforming properties to it. With the advent of military equipment on the battlefield, it had to be painted as well. And later, with the advent of reconnaissance and combat aviation, and other types of long-range weapons, it was necessary to ensure the secrecy of not only the objects of the battlefield, but also the objects of the rear. The article considers the history of the development of methods for increasing the secrecy of personnel through the use of protective coloring of uniforms and equipment. Other aspects of the application of methods for increasing stealth in the optical and other ranges, as well as their development in recent history, are also briefly touched upon.