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  • British Army Combat Uniform (MPT PCS CU)

    i know this topic has evolved elsewhere however now that it is here and i've been PM'd a couple of times about it, i think it is worthy of it's own thread.





    the new Multi Terrain Pattern Personal Clothing System Combat Uniform (MTP PCS CU) is being phased in across the British Army. it will also be used by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy where appropriate.

    MTP PCS CU is not only a new camouflage pattern but also a new design of uniform and it will replace Combat Soldier '95 as both working dress in barracks and combat uniform in training and on operations.

    the uniform comes in two types - Temperate and Lightweight.

    The new clothing system will start to be issued to units from early 2011 in accordance with Front Line Command (FLC) fielding plans and will start to be issued to new recruits from October 2011. The roll-out will be complete to most personnel by April 2013.

    The PCS consists of combat uniform (CU), ancillary items (AI) and waterproof clothing. Combat uniform replaces the camouflage lightweight jacket, trousers and windproof smock while ancillary items and waterproofs replace the t-shirt, Norwegian shirt, fleece and waterproofs of the current CS95 system.

    All camouflage items will be in Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP). Other items will be in Khaki.

    Since the introduction of CS95 in 1995, combat body armour has now become mandatory wear for personnel both training for and deploying on operations. As a result, while the principles of CS95 still apply, the design of the clothing items needs refreshing to reflect the changes and lessons learnt from operations.

    This also allows changes resulting from developments in material technology to be incorporated. All camouflage clothing items will also change to MTP camouflage. Combat footwear is not part of the PCS but a separate competition to replace the combat assault boot is underway, allowing delivery in 2012.

    MTP camouflage, introduced for operations in April 2010, incorporates elements of Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) shapes to create a unique British camouflage that will replace both Woodland and Desert DPM for use in training and on operations. While the Woodland and Desert camouflages are very good in their very specific environments, MTP is the best-performing across the widest range of environments, while only being marginally less effective than Woodland and Desert DPM in those areas.

    MTP will be controlled to ensure it is only available for military issue; it will not be released for the manufacture of items for commercial sale.

    The design principles of CS95 as a layered system of clothing allowing flexibility for temperature regulation remain extant. This has been retained in the PCS; however, it recognises the increased requirements for protection, both in the integration with body armour and incorporation of extremity protection and fittings for potential combat identification systems.

    The PCS consists of three distinct elements that will be delivered separately.

    The MTP camouflage outer layers consist of:

    • Lightweight Jacket. A shirt that can be worn over a thermal or sweat-wicking layer. It can be worn either tucked into trousers or loose depending on environmental conditions.

    In order to allow body armour to be worn over the top (in temperate conditions) buttons have been removed and replaced with Velcro and a zip. Chest bellows pockets have been replaced with map pockets with pen and notebook/compass stowage.

    Bicep bellows pockets have been added to arms to allow stowage of ready access items when body armour is worn. In addition, pockets have been added to the outside forearms and elbows to allow for additional fragmentation/bump protection to be fitted if required.

    The collar can be secured up when wearing body armour to reduce chafing. The bicep pockets have ‘touch and close’ panels to allow combat ID badges to be fitted if required.

    A blanking plate protects the touch and close fastening while also allowing non-tactical badges (eg tactical recognition flashes) to be fitted while being removable in the field.

    • Combat trousers. Thigh map pockets have been angled to allow easier access. A secure pocket has been added to waist pockets to allow stowage of small items. The draw cord has been removed. A seat panel has been added to reduce wear in the crotch. Map-pocket buttons have been shrouded to reduce snag hazards.

    • Windproof smock. The design of the existing windproof smock has been retained as an outer garment principally for when body armour is not being worn. A mesh drop liner and armpit vents have been added to help with thermal regulation.

    Buttons have been shrouded to reduce snag hazards. Behind the waist pockets, fleece-lined handwarmer pockets have been added. The windproof smock incorporates the same bicep pockets as the lightweight jacket.

    • Rank slides. No change to the current design. Only low-contrast, all-arms rank slides are to be worn on MTP. Regimental/high contrast rank slides for wear in camp are to be on plain/regimental backgrounds.

    • Helmet covers. No change to the existing range of helmet cover design, although an update is in development.

    Ancillary items will include insulation and sweat-wicking layers, consisting of:

    • T-shirt. Base layer, providing both thermal insulation and sweat-wicking. Based upon the current operational hot-weather t-shirt.

    • Underwear. Sweat-wicking, anti-microbial unisex undershorts based upon the existing operational underwear.

    • Thermal shirt. A micro-fleece base layer shirt with zippered collar (replacing the CS95 Norwegian shirt).

    • Thermal smock. A micro-fleece-lined mid-layer, with windproof and showerproof outer, to provide increased insulation under the windproof smock (replaces the CS95 fleece).

    • Under Body Armour Combat Shirt (UBACS). A sweat-wicking torso with lightweight jacket sleeves and a zippered neck for wear under body armour in hot weather environments.

    Various different designs of waterproof garments are currently being assessed as part of the ongoing development of the PCS with an expected fielding date of 2012. All items will be in MTP.

    A review of the need for specific female designs is underway and results will be trialled accordingly. These will be rolled out separately once designs have been finalised.

    Units will change to the new CU over three years from Spring 2011 in accordance with FLC fielding plans. In order to control expenditure, task issues to units will be spread over three financial years before units will be allowed to demand items direct. Issuing to recruits will begin in the second half of 2011. Unit CS95 stocks will be withdrawn and reissued to units later in the fielding plan to minimise waste.

    Ancillary items will be available for issue from mid-2011. They will be issued in bulk to recruits along with issues of CU. Personnel previously issued with CS95 will only receive the new ancillary items for operations or to replace CS95 equivalent items that have worn out. Current CS95 ancillary items are fully compatibe with the PCS CU and will remain in use as long as stocks are available.

    Hot weather CU and ancillary items will be issued to personnel deploying on Op HERRICK 15 and to other operations or overseas training exercises from mid-2011. Hot weather clothing will be of the same design as the temperate combat uniform but in a lightweight, breathable cloth. The permanent treatment of hot weather clothing with insecticide is being developed.
    Last edited by RoyalGreenJacket; 16 August 2011, 21:06.
    RGJ

    ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

    The Rifles

  • #2
    these are the boots (still on trial) i am currently wearing with PCS:









    it's a better colour than most of us expected and blends in quite well with the MTP.

    no more black boots
    Last edited by RoyalGreenJacket; 17 August 2011, 14:43.
    RGJ

    ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

    The Rifles

    Comment


    • #3
      It's gonna take f**king AGES to get a shine on those, the Guards will go Mad!

      Seriously though, what footwear goes with No1's/No2's/ Service Dress then? Not SHOES I hope!

      Comment


      • #4
        Nice boots, I'd wear them in CivDiv.

        Comment


        • #5
          Whats the latest on the new load carriage system and items like sleeping bags to go with PCS?I know they split PCS off from PECOC and PECOC has now been rebranded VERTUS whilst being developed.Are ye gonna stick with the HERRICK issue daypack for general issue?Any idea what the new Bergen is gonna be like?
          Just curious.I believe ye are going the same way as us with a "russian doll" bergen system.(IE the fully loaded daysack fits down into the main compartment of the Bergen)
          "Let us be clear about three facts. First, all battles and all wars are won in the end by the infantryman. Secondly, the infantryman always bears the brunt. His casualties are heavier, he suffers greater extremes of discomfort and fatigue than the other arms. Thirdly, the art of the infantryman is less stereotyped and far harder to acquire in modern war than that of any other arm." ------- Field Marshall Wavell, April 1945.

          Comment


          • #6
            apod i've only heard rumours but haven't seen anything concrete yet.

            i know there are teams working on and trialling this as we speak but they are remaining tight lipped because they don't want tradition and old habbits to influence practicality.

            i.e. wearing traditional PLCE type webbing when another modular system would be much better.

            it's still a case of wait out mate but the PCS brief says that some ancillary items will remain unchanged (perhaps sleeping systems?) whilst others like the new Gore-Tex suit will be 'stuffable' so they fit inside a pouch - so they should be excellent.

            it's all looking good though.
            RGJ

            ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

            The Rifles

            Comment


            • #7
              I was thinking about getting a BA GTX suit for field wear as our issue waterproof suit isnt great.What is the design of the current issue one?Is it still the CS95 one with no pockets on the jacket and the shitty elasticated trouser legs?Or was there an update since?
              "Let us be clear about three facts. First, all battles and all wars are won in the end by the infantryman. Secondly, the infantryman always bears the brunt. His casualties are heavier, he suffers greater extremes of discomfort and fatigue than the other arms. Thirdly, the art of the infantryman is less stereotyped and far harder to acquire in modern war than that of any other arm." ------- Field Marshall Wavell, April 1945.

              Comment


              • #8
                yes mate they are still the same, although i did receive a new gore-tex jacket recently that was the old design but had pockets on the chest - i can't check it as my kit is packed and in work.

                never heard many gripes about the elasticated legs and they do the job quite well and pack down very small, but we only use the trousers in very inclement weather and usually only while static.
                RGJ

                ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

                The Rifles

                Comment


                • #9
                  some pics of the men of 2RIFLES wearing MTP PCS CU in Afghan:





                  Attached Files
                  RGJ

                  ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

                  The Rifles

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    We are being measured for new MTP kit next week, woo hoo.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by rod and serpent View Post
                      We are being measured for new MTP kit next week, woo hoo.
                      no way!

                      it's good stuff mate you are gonna love it, i've had it nearly 6 months now.
                      RGJ

                      ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

                      The Rifles

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by rod and serpent View Post
                        We are being measured for new MTP kit next week, woo hoo.
                        no way!

                        it's good stuff mate you are gonna love it, i've had it nearly 6 months now.
                        RGJ

                        ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

                        The Rifles

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          currently, most of us are wearing desert boots with MTP PCS CU, but it appears these may be the boots we are issued eventually - they have been short-listed and are already on trial:


                          Altberg Bergen Brown Military Boot



                          Brown is the new Black
                          RGJ

                          ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

                          The Rifles

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by RoyalGreenJacket View Post
                            Brown is the new Black
                            LOL !! I remember when serving in Cyprus, there were Brits wearing the US jungle boots (excellent boots at the time) but in order to not look American, they applied boot polish to the green canvas portion...

                            Now it is difficult for the uninitiated to distinguish between US and UK Forces in Afghanistan !!
                            Last edited by Jungle; 27 February 2012, 22:28. Reason: Fix typo
                            "On the plains of hesitation, bleach the bones of countless millions, who on the very dawn of victory, laid down to rest, and in resting died.

                            Never give up!!"

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Jungle View Post
                              LOL !! I remember when serving in Cyprus, there were Brits wearing the US jungle boots (excellent boots at the time) but in order to not look American, they applied boot polish to the green canvas portion...

                              Now it is difficult for the uninitiated to distinguish between US and UK Forces in Afghanistan !!
                              in the end we were issued black US Jungle Boots (i've still got mine somewhere).

                              this time though - the Yanks are copying us as we fielded MTP in general service before they got Multicam out there.
                              RGJ

                              ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

                              The Rifles

                              Comment

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