New British Camouflage Patterns

No one does acronyms like the UK MOD. Those textile suppliers with links to the defence industry will be interested to learn that 2010 sees the initial introduction of the new MTP DPM. That's MOD speak for camouflage material - it means Multi-Terrain Pattern Disruptive Pattern Material. It will feature in uniforms that will start to be supplied later this year to servicemen and women on active duty in Afghanistan. The idea is that it serves multiple environments from the barren mountainsides and green valleys of Afghanistan to the deserts of the Middle East and the temperate climes of western Europe. It this just a fudge that does all the jobs of the arctic, woodland and desert DPMs, but nowhere as well? Not if you believe the article in MOD's defence news site (December 2009) which explains how extensive computer modelling and field trials costing £250k have come up with a solution that works in all environments.

I guess time will tell - I look forward to reading the reviews by the people who have to wear it in the field on the Arrse website- these are often amusing, completely unofficial and often rather biased responses which can be read at leisure.

How not to reach out to your customers.

Having used Heathrow airport quite frequently I have become interested in registering for retinal scanning for passing through passport control in the UK (I think it works elsewhere in eth EU as well). What a great idea for frequent business travellers going to and from countries. Last week I decided to investigate this as it seems like a great idea hopefully speeding up my entry into EU countries and making my identity more secure when travelling. Armed with 30 minutes to spare before my 7.30am flight boarding time, I looked out the registration office which is located in the departures hall of Terminal 5 hidden away down an anonymous corridor. The door was shut, and after knocking I tried the handle - it was locked. A passing airport worker advised me that I was waiting in vain. The office apparently didn't open until 8am I was told. Aha... that doesn't matter I said, I'll go when I arrive back in the UK. But you need to be back by 5pm which is when it shuts she responded with a smile. So you see most the people who are likely to benefit from this service are effectively excluded from the service - only if you had a 9am outbound flight, or a flight arriving at 4pm would you be able to access this service.
Back to the old queues in passport control for me.