Article spotlights the DIRT Lab-developed, award-winning Vehicle-Integrated Camouflage System
A Soldier-led solution created and developed via the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL) Pathfinder program is featured in the 2025 Winter Edition of the Army AL&T magazine.
Read the Army AL&T Winter 2025 Issue (Pages 32-35)
A SOLDIER-LED SOLUTION: New camo net invention by Soldiers, for Soldiers
Concept development and experimentation for the Vehicle-Integrated Camouflage System (VICS) project took place at the Marne Innovation Center, a DEVCOM ARL and Civil-Military Innovation Institute (CMI2) Design, Innovation, Research, and Technology (DIRT) Lab.
Soldier-Led Solution
The initial concept and project forerunner for the VICS concept was a ground-based camouflage system created in collaboration with the University of Florida in 2023. Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Lopez, noncommissioned officer in charge, utilized the VICS product concept of ground camouflage to translate it and develop an option for vehicle support with the guidance and support of the CMI2-led engineering team embedded at the Marne Innovation Center and Fort Stewart and 1st Lt. Mallory Moore, an innovations officer.
Tactical Innovation Impact
A key component of the DEVCOM ARL Pathfinder program is the support of DIRT Labs, which provides Soldiers access to resources to promote tactical innovation and solutions. Established in 2022, the Marne Innovation Center boasts tremendous engagement and success for Soldier-driven innovation.
Last September, Major General Christopher R. Norrie, Commanding General Fort Stewart, noted the impact of the Pathfinder and DIRT Lab program:
“The collaboration between Soldiers at Fort Stewart and our innovation partners at the Marne Innovation Center is outstanding. Since the opening of our DIRT Lab at Fort Stewart in 2022, we have seen a significant increase in tactical innovation ideas and engagement, and we appreciate DEVCOM ARL and CMI2 for making that happen.”
The SFC Lopez and the VICS concept also won the XVIII Airborne Corps Dragon’s Lair X competition last fall.
About Army AL&T Magazine
The Army AL&T Magazine is the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center’s quarterly professional journal, comprising in-depth, analytically focused articles.
