The new Marine Corps Family of Packs features a molded hip belt which incorporates hardwear from National Molding. The 2†Techno Grab Tensionlock is combined with the Lock Monster Single bar Male and Female to create a simple, adjust hip belt.
As you can see, the belt is adjusted by pulling forward on the straps. You grab a side in each hand and pull forward with equal pressure.
www.NationalMolding.com
We received a phone call from our friends at Ares Armor on Friday afternoon. They told us that we had saved a life. “A life?” we asked. And then they told us this tale.
“During my last deployment to Afghanistan I was assigned to a embedded partnership platoon, whose primary duties we’re running an ANA NCO leadership course. One night the students invited us to a dinner consisting of fresh dead goat that expired due to gunasyphilaids and bread that is made with their feet. We were not taking our weapons to the event to be respectful and to show that they can be trusted, but I myself never wanted to be unarmed in hostile country so I decided to take my Rad pack with a pistol holstered on the inside, but more importantly along with the pistol I was able to fit 20 rip it cans to wash the diseased meat out of my mouth.
As the “dinner” night consisting of foot bread and diseased goat wore on, one of the Afghans started to become more and more hostile towards one of the other Americans. Till one point he walked out of the room yelling and then returned a few moments later with an AKM that he was wildly pointing around the room confronting my team mate with whom he had the altercation. I knew that I had to do something before rounds started to fly. So I stood up from my corner while running and deploying the rad pack at the same time.
In 3 seconds I have my front plate deployed and I’ve drawn my pistol. At this point I have my beretta shoved in his face “politely” asking for his compliance to get on the ground. Everyone in the room was not only surprised by the force of violence I was able to apply but the that I had a plate carrier/ pistol the whole time along with the sheer number of “rip its” that we used to wash the taste of meat that only Borat would love. The look on the perpetrator’s face was priceless, his mouth dropped open and his eyes were wide. He thought he was the only one in the room with a weapon… He was wrong. He brought a gun. I brought a gun, armor, and the element of surprise.
Your RAD pack’s shock and awe ability saved lives and stomachs that day.
Also, let Soldier Systems now that I learned of this product on their site and special thanks to them for that!”
In the end we thanked the folks at Ares Armor for being the guys that built the product that made it possible for one of America’s finest to save a whole bunch of lives. Ultimately, one man at the right place at the right time, did the right thing. He is the hero and he saved lives. Fortunately, he is a reader of SSD and found out about the RAD pack on our site. He then purchased a RAD Pack from Ares Armor and then USED it as it was intended. There isn’t much in life that can be better than that. THIS is why we do it.
Thank you anonymous American for doing the right thing, and thank you Ares Armor for building great products!
Coming soon from Grey Ghost Gear, equipment in Hyde Definition’s PenCott family of camo patterns.
The AquaSource 20l is the first accessory designed to fit the USMC’s new pack frame. As you can see, the AquaSource adapts directly to the Down East 1606 frame (and the Army-issue 1600 frame as well) allowing a single Marine to effect a water resupply for his Squad. The AquaSource holds 20l of water in its collapsible bladder which features Source’s Glass-like reservoir technology. There are multiple carrying handles including integral shoulder straps for use in a pinch. Additionally, it adapts directly to Source Hydration’s Vehicle Hydration System.
To order, military and agencies visit www.adsinc.com/source-hydration.
Propper International gave us a few minutes with this production example.
Here you can see the details of the molded waist belt.
The Pack also comes with 2 Sustainment Pouches, a Horizontal GP Pocket, and a Hydration Carrier.
Finally, there is an Assault Pack. While it can be mounted crossways on top of the pack, it is really meant as more of a stand alone item. The channels along the back (seen under the shoulder straps) are open cell foam but we are told the material used will not absorb water. Additionally, the panel loader has an assymetric 2-way zipper that opens lower on the wearer’s left side. The outer pocket features an internal mesh pocket while the main compartment also has a mesh pocket and will accommodate a radio.
It seems the Marines aren’t quite so taken with the term “FILBE” (Family of Improved Load Bearing Equipment) which was used to differentiate this new external frame pack from its predecessor during the solicitation.
At MDM we heard a couple of terms being used like “Marine Corps Pack Suite” which could basically denote any old set of packs. Hopefully, they will lock something down soon. My favorite alternative was “MELBA” for Marine Enhanced Load Bearing Assembly.
FILBE or whatever it’s being called is so new that PM-ICE didn’t even have a production sample available to display. But that doesn’t mean that this program isn’t on the fast track. The fielding schedule is very aggressive with the entire run complete within 18 months at the outside. In fact, the first delivery order has already been placed.
Propper International is one of the companies chosen to build FILBE for the USMC. Here is the Assault Pack. It features an asymmetric zipper for the main compartment.
Look for photos of the full pack soon.
Unfortunately, the Marines haven’t released any photos of their new issue pack called FILBE. Yes, it’s odd, but so is the whole tale of its adoption. However, what we do have is a photo of the pack on a Mystery Ranch NICE frame rather than the issue Down East 1606 frame. You can clearly see MR’s new Removable Bolster System on the frame and word has it that they had a hand in development of FILBE. Interestingly, the 1606 fame was actually developed for use by the Army’s airborne forces who needed a shorter frame to accommodate the seating on cargo aircraft. The pack sits atop the thighs when rigged paratroopers are seated.
Hopefully, the Marines will display an issue version of the FILBE at this week’s Modern Day Marine.
