Ambiguity in the wording and examples regarding obstacle color

[lfunkhouser]

Page 393 in MIL-STD-2525D

From H.5.3 Coloring. ... All obstacles as shown in this appendix, friendly, hostile, neutral, unknown or factional, shall be drawn using the color green. If the color green is not available obstacles should be drawn using black... NOTE: The use of green and yellow for obstacles and CBRN is in contradiction to the standard identities.

From this section, obstacles are stated to be either green by default or when green is not available use black. The next section below states that red can also be used for obstacles.

Page 572 in MIL-STD-2525D

H.5.21.1 Obstacles. Natural or man-made restrictions to movement which will impose delay and which will normally require specific equipment or munitions to overcome. (AAP-19). Obstacles are normally shown in green. If color is not available, they are to be shown in black. Regardless of whether green or black is used for color, ENY must be used. If red is used, the ENY may be omitted.

Table H-XIX Obstacle control measure symbols

Some examples depict the obstacle symbol in green (ie. block, disrupt, antitank wall), while others show in black (i.e. obstacle bypass easy, bridge or gap, wire obstacles) .

Questions pertaining to obstacles;

1. Is red a valid color for obstacles as stated in H.5.21.1
2. Is there reasoning behind showing some as green and others as black?
3. Are there any obstacles that should be black by default instead of the green as stated in H.5.3?

Request for the examples in the standard to show the default colors rather than a mix.

[joebayles]

@lfunkhouser ,

1. Is red a valid color for obstacles as stated in H.5.21.1
   No, it isn't. Further, the ENY is also not intended for obstacles.
2. Is there reasoning behind showing some as green and others as black?
   No. The only reason to do anything besides green is if the display can't do it, or if there if it's washed out (green on green)
3. Are there any obstacles that should be black by default instead of the green as stated in H.5.3?
   No.

@mepler, @Twornicki, can you make the necessary adjustments to the standard, or generate the SCPs to do so?
FYI @wmcgrane

[mepler]

Obstacles are technically neutral as they affect both sides regardless of being man-made or natural.
I will create a SCP to remove the last two sentences of H.5.21.1 (See below).
Delete "Regardless of whether green or black is used for color, ENY must be used. If red is used, the ENY may be omitted"
If this does not address the question(s), let me know.