Desert Camouflage Uniform
| Desert Camouflage Uniform | |
|---|---|
A folded and buttoned U.S. Navy DCU blouse | |
| Type | Military camouflage uniform |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1990–2008 (U.S. Army) 1992–2005 (U.S. Marine Corps) 1989–2011 (U.S. Air Force) 1992–2012 (U.S. Navy) 1992-present (United States Special Operations Command) |
| Used by | See Users for other foreign military/law enforcement users |
| Wars | Gulf War (very limited use) Battle of Mogadishu War in Afghanistan Faylaka Island attack Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Natick Laboratories |
| Produced | 1989–2012 |
| Variants | Close Combat Uniform |
The Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) is an arid-environment camouflage uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces from the early-1990s to the early 2010s. In terms of pattern and textile cut, it is identical to the U.S. military's Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) uniform, but features a three-color desert camouflage pattern of dark brown, pale olive green (which is reported to look mint-colored on 1989/90 pattern DCUs), and beige, as opposed to the four-color woodland pattern of the BDU. It replaced the previous Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU) which featured a six-color "chocolate chip" pattern of beige, pale olive green, two tones of brown, and black and white rock spots. Although completely phased out of frontline use in the U.S. Armed Forces, some pieces and equipment printed in the DCU camouflage pattern are used in limited numbers such as MOPP suits and/or vests.
The DCU is made of the same materials as the Enhanced Hot Weather BDU (EHWBDU): 50/50 ripstop nylon and cotton poplin blend.