Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniform Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform ( DPCU ) , also nicknamed " Auscam " or " jelly bean camo " is a five - colour military camouflage pattern used by the Australian Defence Force . It was developed and tested during the late 1970s and early 1980s . Overview . The first uniforms using the disruptive pattern camouflage ( called Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform – DPCU ) were issued in 1983 for test purposes . In 1986 the final production version was introduced with a number of changes . It is influenced partly by early US Jungle Camouflage patterns , such as " Duck Hunter " / " Frog - Skin " . DPCU was developed following aerial photographs of the Australian terrain to determine which colours and patterns would be most suitable for camouflage uniforms . The selected five colour pattern consists of a greenish sand coloured background with randomly arranged spots of orange - brown , mid - brown , leaf - green and dark green overlaid . While a mid - grey tone was included in early test uniforms , this was omitted in later unifoms in favour of a second brown tone . The standard DPCU works in areas from arid bushland through to tropical jungle all over Australia . Since the finalisation of the colour scheme , the Army uniform was modified to the standard NATO format , with a single rank slide in the centre of the shirt , zip pockets on the shirt and pants instead of the button - flap original , and larger sleeve pockets to fit unit patches on . Desert - DPDU . Officially named DPDU ( Disruptive Pattern Desert Uniform ) , a DPCU variant designed for desert conditions using different colours , was first tested in 1998 at the Woomera Missile Test Site in South Australia . The first version , from 2001 , was printed in 3 colours ( brown and grey on a tan background ) with 1 / 3 of the normal pattern missing and rushed into issue for the Australian Special Air Service Regiment deployed to Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force ( ISAF ) . A second version from a year later used 5 colours : brown , lime green , grey , and a very light ight blue on a tan background . This was again issued to SASR in Afghanistan after the first version was found to be too light in colour for the terrain . This was followed by a third issue in : brown , grey , very light blue and purple on a yellow background . The cut was changed in the shirt with the bottom pockets being omitted and placed on the sleeves . This was replaced in 2006 by the current - issue DPDU . The colours remain the same as the previous DPDU . Changes to the uniform include repositioning of shoulder straps to the chest , the changes of the chest pockets and cargo pockets from the button - fastened flap of the pocket to zips and minor changes to the sleeve pockets . This the current type issued to all ADF personnel serving overseas in arid / desert regions such as Iraq . Mid - point - DPCU . A new DPDU variant known as ' Mid Point " was to be progressively introduced into selected service in Afghanistan ( 2010 ) . Army chief Ken Gillespie toured Afghanistan showing off the new uniform . The pattern remained the same as that used for the DPCU and DPDU but with a light lime - yellow base colour , light grey , sand , olive - green and red - brown . The new variant was designed to overcome issues associated with operating in and around the " green belt " areas of Afghanistan ( particularly in corn fields ) where the DPDU was too light in colour but where the DPCU was too green for open areas . Trials however , showed that in most areas the original DPCU performed more effectively than the new Midpoint camouflage and it was not adopted . One criticism was that the new camouflage used colours that were still too biased towards desert operations . Australian special forces operating in Afghanistan have been seen wearing Crye ' s Multicam camouflage . A trial of MultiCam was undertaken and the decision made to broaden this trial for Australian operations in Afghanistan . In 2011 , a contract was awarded to Crye to design a camouflage pattern with Multicam ' s effective colours but with a pattern changed to resemble the original DPCU . In October 2012 , Australian troops about to deploy to Afghanistan were photographed wearing unifoms in the new pattern . Unlike the UK ' s MTP camouflage which was also based on the Multicam pattern , the changes have been confined to the darkest and lightest shapes which now mimic the familiar " bunny ears " or jelly bean " shapes of the original DPCU . Naval - DPNU . A naval version , consisting of the " littoral colours " of various shades of grey with greens , officially named Disruptive Pattern Naval Uniform ( DPNU ) , has been adopted by the Royal Australian Navy . Before the uniform was introduced , there was some confusion as to why a disruptive pattern was used at all , given that the uniform incorporated reflective tape on the upper arms to make the wearer more visible if they should fall overboard , though the reflective tape is placed low enough on the arm to be covered when the sleeves are rolled up . The primary reason for the use of the AUSCAM pattern is not to provide camouflage , but to align with the other services which use the distinctly Australian pattern , making personnel identifiable as Australian , and through the use of the littoral colours as naval personnel . It will replace several sets of other clothing , including the grey fire resistant overalls and the blue Action Working Dress ( AWD ) . RAN personnel previously issued DPCU uniform ( such as clearance divers ) will continue to be issued DPCU kit in addition to their DPNU uniforms . Opposing Force - DPCU . During the late 1990s a modified Auscam colour scheme was trialled to be used for OPFOR units during force vs force training exercises . This pattern was in the same style as the standard DPCU but in tones of red and brown , supposedly resembling a " Russian " style pattern . Colours used were : dark brown , mid - brown , light brown and blood red , all on a tan background . It was used sparingly during several exercises but not issued widely due to the cost associated with fielding a separate uniform with only minor colour changes solely for use as an OPFOR uniform and as such was withdrawn from official service in 1998 . OPFOR DPCU was found to be very effective in the red sands of some Australian deserts . Air force variant . A version of the DPCU colour scheme was proposed for the Royal Australian Air Force ( Air Force Disruptive Pattern Uniform ) . This looked similar to the original scheme but with a light grey background and the replacement of one of the brown clours with dark grey . It was not adopted , however a new variant ( called DPAFU - Disruptive Pattern Air Force Uniform ) is due to commence user trials in late 2013 within the RAAF . This has adopted a more ' digi - cam ' style , similar to that of the US , as opposed to the " hearts and bunnies " of the current DPCU format . Garments . Garments issues in DPCU have included shirt / jackets , Jump smock s ( for Paratroops ) , trousers and a waxed cotton ( Japara ) rain jacket , almost always referred to as a Japarra . Head dress has included bush hat s , wide brimmed bush hats ( " boonie " hats ) and a peaked cap with a fold up neck flap referred to as a kepi cap ( worn only by members of units which operate armoured vehicles and by Regional Force Surveillance Units ) . Although not standard - issue with the ADF , M65 field jackets that are made in the standard green DPCU camouflage pattern have been made for the civilian market in Australia . Equipment . Equipment that has been issued in DPCU are rucksacks , pouches ( such as Steyr pouches , Minimi pouches , canteen pouches , map cases , field dressing pouches , butt / bum packs , medical kit s , etc . ) , load carrying equipment , field body armour , and combat helmet covers .