Packs | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Packs’ Category

Is The Army Looking to Expand Use of MOLLE 4000 Airborne Rucksack to General Purpose Forces?

Thursday, September 19th, 2019

Terry Baldwin sent me a link the other day with this note:

I admit, this particular item of kit has really captured my interest. It seems from the pictures that the “final” version of the rucksack is even more of a large ALICE-clone than the prototypes suggested. The rigging geometry, likewise, would be very familiar to you or me. It also appears, from a separate slide briefing that it is being considered not only for Airborne units but also as a possible Service-wide replacement for the Molle Large. Note, the standard Molle waistpad / belt used with the prototypes has been replaced by what looks like an OCP version of the pad /belt on the Marine’s FILBE pack. The shoulder straps also have a new 4-point connection arrangement above the envelope pad. Interesting stuff.

He had run across a sources sought notice from earlier this year. The Army is looking to build more of its new MOLLE 4000 Airborne Rucksacks. What is interesting is the description. Up to now, it has only been intended for airborne troops.

Considering the numbers of 130,000 packs and the Army’s concentration on modernizing it’s Close Combat Forces, this looks like a possible fielding for the BCTs.

Here’s the info on the MOLLE 4000 Ruck:

“The new MOLLE Rucksack for Airborne and General Purpose Forces [ emphasis added] is a Government-owned design. It has an approximately 4000 cubic inch capacity and made of 1000 Denier nylon coated fabric, has an external frame, adjustable shoulder straps and an adjustable waist belt. The exterior of the rucksack has multiple storage pockets and pouches of varying dimensions. The interior of the main compartment of the rucksack has a pouch for carrying a radio / hydration bladder or other similarly sized equipment. The interior of the main compartment of the rucksack has a center zippered flap that divides the main compartment into two approximately equal upper and lower halves. The bottom of the rucksack has a separate [Air Items] storage compartment and above that a zippered access into the lower part of the main compartment.”

LTC Terry Baldwin (USA, Ret) contributed to this report.

Posted in Contracts, Packs, Parachuting | 25 Comments »

DSEI 19 – Osprey Drop Dry Bag from Typhoon

Thursday, September 12th, 2019

Typhoon manufacturers drysuits, dry bags and accessories.

One of their latest products is the Osprey Dry Bag which has been built specifically for para ops. It incorporates a single pull release and this can be covered when not in use. The bag itself is made of durable trilaminate texturized polyester with stitched and double taped seams and waterproof zippers.

It also features integrated shoulder straps which can be stored behind a zippered flap.

The Osprey has a 120 liter capacity and is available in Black or Drab Green.

www.typhhon-int.co.uk

Posted in DSEi, Maritime, Packs | Comments Off on DSEI 19 – Osprey Drop Dry Bag from Typhoon

ThirdBlockGear – Advanced Field Sling Bag

Monday, August 19th, 2019

The Advanced Field Sling Bag was developed by a friend of mine for personal use while working initially overseas, and increasingly here at home. He wanted a bag that would keep his most needed equipment right at his fingertips.

His work requires the use of electronics and those often need to be recharged in the field.

Above is a layout of the kit he uses to teach classes.

And in case your interested in the types of electronics he uses, here are a couple of images of something he is currently working on.

But back to the ASF. Here are some key design points:
• Comfortable to wear for hours, in hot climates.
• Quick access to all your gear, without taking the bag off.
• Adjustable, ambidextrous, and quick-release design.
• Designed to fit power, communications, and sustainment gear.
• Extremely durable and rugged.
• 100% US Materials. 100% US manufactured.

I’ve had one for awhile and feel blessed anytime Jason honors me by allowing me access to his work. While it’s a very specialized piece of kit with a very specific layout, it has already been fielded to several organizations. Learn more at thirdblockgear.com/shop/afs-bag.

Posted in Grey Man, ISR, Load Carrying, Packs | 9 Comments »

Crossfire – DG3 Available Again

Wednesday, August 14th, 2019

An streamlined and updated version of the DG16, the DG3 comes with an internal frame or the external DG frame. The last time these were in stock, they flew off the shelves.

Key Features:
-Three rows of MOLLE on front panels
-Internal sleeves and ports integrate hydration reservoirs
-PRC117G capable internal removable pouch
-Zipper port for radio and antennae access
-Velcro on lid for identification and patches
-removable waist belt wings
-all critical buckles are easily field replaceable if damaged
-easy adaptability between DG external frame or internal sheet frame

Available in MultiCam, Coyote, and Ranger Green.

crossfire.com.au

Posted in International, Packs | 9 Comments »

The IKEA Day Pack

Friday, August 9th, 2019

My friend Dan Matsuda has been a gear designer for decades. He recently whipped up this day pack using an Ikea tote.

He previously created a pack from a rice bag. Check out the video.

Posted in As Seen On Facebook, Design, DIY, Packs, Tachacker | 4 Comments »

GORUCK Moves Some Pack Manufacturing Overseas

Wednesday, August 7th, 2019

In a very transparent blog post, Founder & CEO of GORUCK, Jason McCarthy took a deep dive into his brand and the reasons why they’re moving the manufacturing of some of the very popular packs overseas.

BLUF – They want to control consumer pricing, but they’re not abandoning US manufacturing altogether. They are quite clear on that.

There are plenty of benefits to American manufacturing: communication with vendors is easier, quality oversight is easier because they’re closer, there are low minimum order quantities (~75 units vs. 1,000 units), moving to market is quicker, and there’s the support of American jobs, which has always been important to me. We intend to continue to support and utilize our American vendors (we have four), but not for the items that represent real scale for us.

This is a dilemma that everyone who manufactures textiles here in the US eventually faces. Unfortunately, our industrial base just isn’t that large. Additionally, labor is much more expensive here in the United States than elsewhere. Hopefully, we will see additional growth in our capacity to manufacture textile products are in the US, alleviating the need to go overseas at least to deal with capacity issues.

GORUCKS’s path forward is all summed up here:

• We’ll continue to build limited edition GR1’s in the USA; Black GR1’s and a couple other colorways will be built overseas (specifically in Saigon) moving forward. Rucker and GR2: same deal. The price on rucks built overseas will be less, so this is in essence an announcement of some (but not all) overseas manufacturing and a price decrease to our core rucksacks.

• For example, GR1’s Built in the USA version has been at $395. The models built in Saigon will be at $295.

• The model for us, USA vs overseas is this: where we can provide more value through customization and limited edition colorways and features, we’ll build those in the USA. We’ll build classic versions to scale, at quality, overseas.

The big post is well worth the read. Check it out here.

Posted in Industry, Packs | 54 Comments »

3rd Bn, 75th Ranger Rgt Jump Test SPEAR Packs

Monday, July 22nd, 2019

FORT BENNING, Georgia — Army Rangers here are evaluating three Mystery Ranch backpack variations by jumping out of U.S. Air Force C–130 Hercules aircraft.

The three commercial off the shelf variants tested by Soldiers with the 75th Ranger Regiment’s 3rd Battalion included an Assault Pack, Patrol Pack, and Recce Pack.

Forty-seven Soldiers from the 75th Regimental Special Troops Battalion conducted 45 static line infiltration training jumps on Benning’s Fryar Drop Zone, using the backpacks as part of their combat equipment load.

The new backpacks range from 3,200 cubic inches for the Assault pack to 6,200 cubic inches for the Recce pack, according to Lt. Col. Dave Dykema, with the U.S. Army Operational Test Command’s (OTC) Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate (ABNSOTD) based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He said the new backpack variations provide modularity to support various mission requirements not supported by the Army’s legacy All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) backpack.

“The ABNSOTD was professional and user friendly,” said Capt. Joshia Auerbach, the 75th’s Regimental Air Officer.

“They responded to our need rapidly, and tested the equipment in a manner that was quick and efficient for the Ranger Regiment, expertly incorporating testing into our training schedule.”

“These rucksacks provide a modern load carrying solution that can now be certified for static line airborne operations,” said Staff Sgt. Jake Leveille, 75th Regimental Air NCO.

Spec. Thomas Lewis, Squad Rifleman, said he understood the importance of operational testing the new backpacks.

“Participating in this test provided me with insight on how the Army ensures our equipment is safe and suitable, before fielding it to the force,” he said.

“Soldiers enjoy getting involved in training hard during operational testing,” said Dykema.

“They have the opportunity to operate and offer up their own suggestions on pieces of equipment that can impact development of systems that future Soldiers will use in support of combat missions,” he added.

Highly-instrumented test drops help test overall survivability of equipment used during airborne operations, according to Dykema.

By SFC Ian Seymour, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command

Editor’s Note: The test packs are the SPEAR program packs, selected for issue by USSOCOM which were being certified for static line jumps.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Packs, Parachuting, SOF | 12 Comments »

USSOCOM Seeks Maritime Backpack Suite

Tuesday, July 16th, 2019

Last week, Program Manager Special Operations Forces which is located at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Soldier Center at Natick, MA, issued a sources sought notice for a Maritime Backpack Suite.

For the purpose of this RFI, a Maritime Backpack Suite consists of:
Backpack, Large 1
Backpack, Small 1
Pouch, Man-pack Radio 1
Pouch, Gas Mask 1
Pouch, MK48/Med Kit 1
Rucksack Liner, Roll Top, Large 1
Waterproof Duffel Bag 1
Mesh Bag 1
Backpack Frame 1
Yolk / Stability System 1
Waist Belt 1
Backpack Repair Kit 1

This table depicts desired attributes.

They also want the colors to be consistent with current Body Armor Load Carriage Systems (MultiCam, solid gray/green). The suite must also be compatible with the CRYE JPC & AVS and Eagle MMAC 2012 as well legacy load carriage systems (LCS) as well as all individual airborne equipment items and rigging procedures utilizing Single Point Release Harness, SOF Harness, and parachutist drop bag.

Interested vendors have until Jul 29, 2019 at 4:00 pm Eastern to respond. For full details, visit www.fbo.gov.

Posted in Contracts, Maritime, Packs, SOF | 1 Comment »