Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1000484
T actical doctrine stresses that urban combat operations are conducted only when required and that built-up areas are isolated and bypassed rather than engaged in costly, time-consuming acts. Adherence to these precepts, though valid, is becoming increasingly difficult as urban sprawl changes the face of the battlefield. Major urban areas in various countries host industrial bases, transportation complexes, eco- nomic institutions, and political and cultural centers – the power and wealth of each country. The denial or capture of these cen- ters may yield decisive psychological advantages that frequently determine the success or failure in a larger conflict. Villages and small towns will often be caught up in the battle because of the- ir proximity to major avenues of approach or because they are astride lines of communications that are vital to sustaining gro- und combat operations. Urbanization is a complex, multifaceted process influenced by many factors including a nation's cultural development, its economic resources, and its industrial capacity. Although its form varies from region to region, urbanization is characterized by a general pattern of changes in land usage and the spread of man-made features across natural terrain. Tactical terrain analysis has traditionally considered some elements of the urban environment such as the allocation of land to agricul- ture or forestry and the distribution of railway or road networks. However, the focus has been on natural terrain elements. In Eu- rope and other urbanized areas of the world, increased aware- ness of the effects of man-made features on the overall tactical scheme is necessary. How urban terrain elements impact on operations is an important consideration in determining tactical options. Expanding urban development affects military operations as the terrain is altered. The increased population and accelerated growth of cities have made the problems of combat in built-up areas an urgent requirement for the military, law enforcement, special security forces. This type of combat cannot be avoided. The makeup and distribution of smaller built-up areas as part of an urban complex make the isolation of enemy fires occupying one or more of these smaller enclaves increasingly difficult. Urban terrain is expected to be the future battlefield in Europe and Asia with brigade- and higher-level commanders focusing on these operations. The closeness of urban operations incre- ases the likelihood that the enemy will detect operators of the unit. Because some urban areas offer poor concealment and co- ver, the enemy is most likely to detect soldiers moving through urban areas. Camouflage effectiveness in urban terrain is there- fore dictated by color of the pattern elements as much as their size ratio. The right mix allows to blur in and not stand out aga- inst the background of the built-up area. This is the reason why the TripleX pattern has universal colour tones that change in the overall visual spectrum based on background and light intensity. UNIFORMS