Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/929822
tion growth periods into consideration. Every camouflage pattern is tested at the same test- ing position. The analyzed photos were taken from three distances – 10, 20, and 30 meters, from the same position. To illustrate the col- or scheme parameters, photographic samples were used to create conditions for the analysis of particular camouflage patterns. The initial outcomes were very promising and motivat- ing for further works. In the meantime, MAPA was entered into a competition organized by the Inspectorate for Implementation of Inno- vative Defense Technologies – "Innovation for the Polish Armed Forces". There were 174 entries, and MAPA qualified for the finals with five other projects in the category of "R&D proj- ect", obtaining a distinction at the same time. MAPA is a perfect example to prove that a good and original masking design doesn't need im- mense financial and technological resources. Its creator is not resting on his laurels, though. Instead, he's busy developing a whole MAPA camouflage patterns family. MAPA camouflage – features The first thing that sticks out is its complete lack of similarity to any existing camouflage patterns. It's very important because it should also act as an identification element. At pres- ent, it's hard to tell the country of particular forces – let alone their units, especially in the case of special operations forces. It becomes clear only after we look closer at the identifica- tion stripes or at other characteristic elements of equipment or weaponry. Another original feature is its color scheme. Many tend to regard it at first as too dark or contrasting, but the decision to opt for such colors was based on a series of analyses of thousands of photos of Polish forests, which served as the basis for determining the per- centage share of colors making up the col- or noise. The bright, even celadon outline is questioned in particular, but it actually makes equipment