Force Protector Gear has introduced a new load carrying technology into their FOR61 Tac Pack Extreme. This articles concentrates on the DWD suspension and not the bag. The Dynamic Weight Distribution system was developed by the Israeli company Source who has been working with Force Protector Gear to integrate this Exoskeletal Frame System into a pack. The small mesh pockets on the waistbelt will store the control unit explained below. Production versions of the belt move this storage pocket to make it more easily accessible.
DWD mimics the human spine, with a single stay that rotates at the hips via the L5 joint which allows you to cut the belt away yet also offers flexion while walking. It also incorprates a control unit that allows you to adjust the distribution of the percentage of load carried by waist or shoulders as well as frame height. Load distribution is totally adjustable on the fly in increments of 15% from the hips to the shoulders as the user sees fit.
DWD accommodates personnel from 5’3” to 6’10” in its current configuration with two different Spine Bars (medium and large).
DWD is also a modular system that attaches to the pack or vest platform that needs to be carried thanks to PALS compatibility.
I got a chance to try it out with a 45 lbs load. The load moves with you and allows excellent upper body rotation. Below you can see how the DWD allows load rotation while being worn.
This document has additional information.
Tags: Force Protector Gear
Interesting. How does that “control unit” work? Does it raise and lower the spinal structure?
It remotely disengages the stop mechanism. Some adjustment can be made by arching your back but there’s also a pull tab at the slot for the spine bar that you can pull on to help with extension.
this is very interesting…. seems to be a departure from the conventional pack support systems we’ve seen before.
Looks like some very original thinking here. I’d like to see some human performance test data on with this, vs. more conventional stay/frame systems.