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Posts Tagged ‘MOLLE’

Kifaru Cargo Panel Lets MOLLE Carry Odd Sized Loads

Monday, March 12th, 2012

There are a couple of solutions out there for use with both ALICE and MOLLE that modify the frames with a large PALS field and allow them to be configured with any combination of pouches. But recently some readers came to me looking to carry odd sized loads with their MOLLE frames. My immediate suggestion was the Kifaru Cargo Panel that came out last year. Originally intended as an accessory specifically for Kifaru packs, they immediately recognized that the long beaver-tail design could be used elsewhere.

If you have any doubts to the versatility of the Cargo Panel, this photo showing it carrying an air compressor should shake the notion. The CP attaches to the frame and cradles your load. How closely it rides against the frame is adjustable and the load can stick out the sides or top with no problems.

Made in USA! from 1000D Cordura to stand up to the wear and tear it is going to see while being used to pack mule gear. It can be had in a variety of colors, contact Kifaru for availability because I know they can accommodate special requests on a case-by-case basis.

www.kifaru.net/cargopanel

Back to the Future – Rucksack Style

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Large MOLLE RuckMilitary.com’s Defense Tech Blog just published a teaser for an article on a new “Medium” pack for use in Afghanistan. The intent is to provide a pack that fits somewhere in between the current 2000 cubic inch Assault Pack and the 5000 cubic inch Modular Lightweight Load carrying Equipment (MOLLE) Rucksack. Interestingly, the initial variant of the current MOLLE pack was of Medium size and only after a couple of years did the Army change out to the current Large pack.MOLLE Assault PackIn fact, the Large MOLLE ruck was only developed to support light forces like the 10th Mountain Division and there was a great deal of hand wringing over whether it would be appropriate to replace the Medium on general issue. It can be denoted from the earlier version by the addition of a halfmoon zippered compartment on the bottom which is used to carry the sleep system rather than a separate bag.

MOLLE Rucksack with Original Pack As you can see from this photo (actually an early medical version issued to Navy Corpsman supporting the Marines), the original pack was much smaller but fell in line with the modularity of the overall system. It could be used in conjunction with a variety of additional options including the side mounted sustainment pouches as well as the sleeping bag carrier. Later, with the advent of the Ranger variant of MOLLE a waist pack was added to the mix. When MOLLE was initially envisioned the concept was to provide a variety of modules that the user could add or subtract in order to mission tailor the load. There was concern about devloping a pack that could overload the wearer.

The US military used the All-purpose Individual Lightweight Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system up until the late 1990s which included medium as well as large packs. Both fit on a tubular metal frame so the concept of offering several pack options is nothing new. It seems that more and more often, the Army is learning that the Soldier needs several options in his “toolbox”. For example, SOCOM selected an entire suite of pack sizes for their troops.

Medium ALICE Pack Large ALICE Pack

Mystery Ranch SATLOne possible solution is the Mystery Ranch SATL which is issued to SOCOM and integrates MR’s proprietary Bolster Ventilation and Stability (BVS) system which was designed to increase the stability of the pack over body armor. Consider the SATL a daypack on steroids with external pockets to help compartmentalize gear. Its internal frame design helps stabilize teh load yet keep the pack’s weight to a minimum.

As you can see, over time the US has provided multiple pack sizes to its troops. It will be interesting to see how this “new” requirement pans out; whether it is an internal frame, external frame, or a frameless pack and whether it will be adopted into the MOLLE program of record.

BAE to Produce MultiCam MOLLE for Afghanistan Camo Test

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

The Army has issued a Purchase order for the production of MOLLE systems in MultiCam in anticipation of the upcoming camouflage tests in Afghanistan. It seems that this train is on its way.

MOLLE Cease and Desist

Monday, July 6th, 2009

Any companies who have received cease and desist letters in regard to the production of MOLLE please contact us. We are particularly interested in any letters that contained copyrighted material from Soldier Systems.

Thank You,
-Editor

Sling Bag, MOLLE’s Latest Addition

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

Sling Bag

I wanted to post this Army news release to show that the Army is on it. The item is entering production and will soon see issue. Please notice that this article is from December of last year. That is a pretty good turn around.

Sling Bag for Soldiers
Army News Service | December 27, 2007
NATICK, Mass. – Finding a way for Soldiers to accomplish their missions more easily is what lies behind the design of many products created by the Individual Equipment Lab at the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center here.

“Part of our job is to spend time with Soldiers in the field and look at what they are doing, and see if there is a way we can improve how Soldiers carry their equipment,” said Richard Landry, equipment designer. When service members tour the SSC, their ideas and suggestions for individual equipment are considered to determine if they are practical.

Currently, the lab is working on a tactical sling bag, a project created by the SSC load-bearing team for the Product Manager Clothing and Individual Equipment group under the Program Executive Office Soldier.

“Soldiers use the MOLLE [modular lightweight load-carrying equipment] assault pack, which is like a daypack, and they love it,” Landry said. “But one of the problems is that they can’t sit in a vehicle while wearing it.” It is also difficult for the Soldier to access equipment inside the packs when it is on their back, he continued. And, during the time they have to stop to put on or take off their packs, they are left in a vulnerable position.

Landry said the sling bag could be slung over a Soldier’s back, out of the way. The bag could be rotated to the front if the Soldier needed to access equipment or get into a vehicle.

“We started by looking at civilian carrier bags,” he said. “We needed to find one that could be used not only inside a vehicle where they could reach items easily, but something that could be effective throughout their mission.”

The team from the Individual Equipment Lab looked at commercial bags, but couldn’t find one that met the necessary requirements. The current prototype created by the lab has about 700 cubic inches of space and is slung over one shoulder. It has MOLLE webbing on the front so the user can add various pouches from the MOLLE system. It also has a secondary security strap to ensure it stays in place with a pull-tab for quick separation when needed.

Sling Bag

He thinks the sling bag would be a valuable tool for medics. “This would essentially give medics a hands-free capability while ensuring their supplies are easily available,” Landry said. “Additionally, if the medic came under fire while treating a casualty, they wouldn’t have to worry about leaving supplies behind. They could always be attached to his body.

Although the sling bag has been roughly sized around the combat lifesaver kit, Landry and other service members already see plenty of additional uses. “This bag could be helpful for anyone who will be carrying small electronics,” he said. “…even laptops.” The Chaplain at SSC was also recently looking for something for the components of the resupply kit. “He thought the sling bag was a good fit,” Landry said.

From here, the idea will be to incorporate the sling bag into the MOLLE system as an accessory item. Landry concluded by saying, “The MOLLE system is constantly changing based on what we learn from Soldier feedback.”

Photos courtesy US Army, by Sarah Underhill, AMC, December 20, 2007