M.A. / The dissertation topic is the comparison of pixel-based and object-oriented image analysis approaches for camouflaged object detection research. A camouflage field trial experiment was conducted during 2004. For the experiment, 11 military vehicles were deployed along a tree line and in an open field. A subset of the vehicles was deployed with a variety of experimental camouflage nets and a final subset was left uncovered. The reason for deploying the camouflaged objects in the open without the use of camouflage principals was to create a baseline for future measurements. During the next experimental deployment, the camouflaged targets will be deployed according to camouflage principals. It must be emphasised that this is an experimental deployment and not an operational deployment. Unobstructed entity panels were also deployed and served as calibration entities. During the trial, both airborne (colour aerial photography) and space borne (multi-spectral QuickBird) imagery were acquired over the trial sites, and extensive calibration and ground truthing activities were conducted in support of these acquisitions. This study further describes the processing that was done after acquisition of the datasets. The goal is to determine which classification techniques are the most effective in the detection of camouflaged objects. This will also show how well or poor the SANDF camouflage nets and paint potentially perform against air and space based sensors on the one hand and classification techniques on the other. Using this information, DPSS can identify the nets and paints that need to be investigated for future enhancements (e.g. colour selection, colour combinations, base material, camouflage patterns, entity shapes, entity textures, etc.). The classification techniques to be used against SANDF camouflaged objects will also give an indication of their performance against camouflaged advesarial forces in the future.

Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 157-159). Also available in electronic format via the Defense Technical Information Center website.

Thesis (MMil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT APPLICABLE TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN ARMY CAMOUFLAGE CLOTHING COMMODITY There are many reasons for the popularity of the supply chain or the supply chain management concept. Through globalisation, entities are forced to look for more effective ways to coordinate the flow of goods and material between facilities, into and out of the business. Customers are consistently demanding products that are delivered faster, exactly on time, and with no damage. Supply chain management is the systemic, strategic coordination of the traditional business functions and the tactics across these business functions within a particular entity and across businesses within the supply chain, for the purpose of improving the long-term performance of the individual entities and the supply chain as a whole. One key objective of supply chain management is to lower the costs required to provide the necessary level of customer service, in order to gain a competitive advantage within a market segment. To be fully effective in today’s competitive environment, entities must expand their integrated behaviour to incorporate customers and suppliers. Low cost and differentiated service help build a competitive advantage for the supply chain. When entities take up a supply chain management philosophy, they must determine and establish management practices that permit them to operate and behave consistent with this philosophy. Performance measurement provides the necessary assistance for performance improvement in pursuit of supply chain excellence. The efficient and effective management of this supply chain with performance measurement and internal controls establishes a solid base for competitive advantage. The SA Army camouflage clothing logistics reveals elements of improvement, as compared to supply chain management principles. Camouflage clothing forms an important element of the total supplies of a soldier in sustaining military and warfare capabilities. Camouflage clothing logistics in the SA Army is a complex mix of physical entities, processes and rules that is governed by mostly conceptual concepts and principles. The SA Army lacks an integrated supply chain philosophy and clear supply chain management principles. Supply chain management can enhance camouflage clothing logistics in the SA Army, if the principles are properly applied. The SA Army is a military institution with peacekeeping operations as their core function. The manufacturing and distribution of clothing is not a core function of the SA Army and can therefore be outsourced to address most of the concerns raised under the present system. Although it would be difficult and cumbersome to implement an integrated supply chain, with supply chain management philosophy and practices, the principle will enhance efficiency and effectiveness in today’s economic environment. The level of outsourcing and the effectiveness of control will determine the degree of success the SA Army will achieve. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: AANVOERKETTINGBESTUUR VAN TOEPASSING OP DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE LEëR KAMOEFLEERDRAG KOMMODITEIT Daar is verskeie redes vir die populariteit van die aanvoerketting of die aanvoerkettingbestuurskonsep. Globalisasie het entiteite gedwing om ondersoek in te stel na meer effektiewe maniere om die vloei van goedere en materiaal, tussen fasilitieite, asook in en uit die entiteit te koördineer. Kliënte eis gereeld produkte wat vinniger, presies op tyd en met geen skade afgelewer word. Aanvoerkettingbestuur is die sistemiese, strategiese koordinasie van al die tradisionele besigheidsfunksies, asook taktieke oor hierdie besigheidsfunksies, binne ‘n entiteit en oor besighede binne die aanvoerketting, met die doel om die langtermyn prestasie van die individuele entiteite en die aanvoerketting as geheel te verbeter. Een sleuteldoel van aanvoerkettingbestuur is om kostes te verminder. Hierdie kostes word geassosieer met ‘n sekere vlak van kliëntediens, wat voorsien moet word om ‘n kompeterende voordeel in die marksegment te verkry. Om in vandag se kompeterende omgewing ten volle effektief te wees moet entiteite hul geïntegreerde gedrag uitbrei om kliënte en verskaffers in te sluit. Lae koste en gedifferensieërde diens help om kompeterende voordeel binne die aanvoerketting te bou. Sodra entitieite ‘n aanvoerkettingfilosofie aanneem, moet hulle bestuurspraktyke bepaal en vastel hoe om in lyn met dié filosofie op te tree en te funksioneer. Prestasiemeting voorsien die nodige riglyn vir prestasieverbetering in die strewe na aanvoerketting uitnemendheid. Kamoefleerdrag vorm ‘n belangrike element in die uitrusting van die soldaat wanneer militêre- en oorlogsvermoë hanteer moet word. Kamoefleerdraglogistiek in die SA Leër is ‘n komplekse mengsel van fisiese entiteite, prosesse and reëls wat meestal deur konseptuele beginsels geregeer word. Die SA Leër kamoefleerdrag logistiek reflekteer elemente van verbetering, wanneer vergelyk word met aanvoerkettingbestuursbeginsels. Die SA Leër kort ‘n geïntegreerde aanvoerkettingfilosofie, asook duidelike aanvoerkettingbestuursbeginsels. Aanvoerkettingbestuur kan die kamoefleerdrag logistiek in die SA Leër verbeter, as die beginsels reg toegepas word. Die SA Leër is ‘n militêre instelling met vredesoperasies as primêre funksie. Die vervaardiging en verspreiding van klerasie is nie die SA Lëer se primêre funksie nie en kan daarom geprivatiseer word. Dit sal primêr die probleme wat onder die huidige stelsel voorkom, aanspreek. Al word dit voorsien dat dit moeilik en omslagtig sal wees om ‘n geïntegreerde aanvoerkettingfilosofie en -beginsel in die SA Leër te implimenteer, dit die doeltreffendheid en doelmatigheid van die huidige stelsel in vandag se ekonomie sal verbeter.