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.
The TACC-1 (Tactical Assault Carrying Case) Discreet Carry Rifle System is a guitar and rifle case. Made of 1200 nylon, it features high-density EPE padding throughout to protect the bag contents. PALS webbing along the front exterior allows for a high degree of customization with the addition of accessory pouches; a strip of Velcro loop allows for attachment of a name tape.
The rear features reinforced shoulder carrying straps, as well as a grab handle. Additional features include:
The UA TAC Heavy Assault is a new bag for the tactical side of Under Armour. They brought it over from the hunting side and add a few features such as PALS webbing. This panel loader is fully featured including a top pocket and rear pocket. Additionally, incorporates an internal aluminum frame, rain cover, contoured back panel and waist belt pockets with internal ammo slots. Available now in Black.
The New Wild Things Guide Light Pack we wrote about awhile back is now in stock now at O P Tactical.
This is a minimalist waterproof fabric pack with the features you need and nothing else for a streamlined and ultra-light package made to withstand multiple deployments. It’s not on Wild Thing’s website yet, so check it out at O P Tactical now.
According to FirstSpear’s description, the Vertical Envelopment Pack is a top opening, rolled closure and Tubes secured Assault Pack that can be mounted to FS Modular Plate Carriers. Developed to “go forward from the Objective Rally Point (ORP)”, the VEP provides the Assaulter with a unique capability that augments the full spectrum of modern combat operations. The VEP can be carried with its own shoulder straps (included) for conventional use without a plate carrier.
Inspired by the Bag, Canvas, Field, M1936 (Musette Bag) so often associated with World War II-era paratroops, the Vertical Envelopment Pack is a simple design that can be worn is a couple of different ways and, like its mid-20th Century counterpart, allows rapid access to critical equipment. FS even had the parachutist in mind when they envisioned the VEP. When worn in front, it is compatible with a parachute harness. Clutter is also kept to a minimum around the biceps due to uniform pockets and there are no straps under the arms. Additionally, it was critical that the pack be removable without taking off any body armor.
Jon Laplume took the 117 Raid Bag FS had been making for a government customer as the basic size and worked from there. That 117 Raid bag itself is a shrunken FS Exigent Circumstances Pack and about two-thirds the size of what they eventually ended up with for the current VEP. That final size was derived from the kidney bean shape and simple carriability; any more and it just didn’t ride well as intended, although the bag is pleated and gusseted at the bottom to help stabilize the load.
He then began to experiment with ways to attach the VEP to an armor carrier and looked to some earlier work FS had done to attach the Draeger rebreather to carriers using Tubes. One trick Laplume told me was to attach the VEP further to the front on the lower part of the Vest’s shoulder straps. It rides better this way and makes sure it clears the head when flipping it to the front.
In addition to back mounted wear, attached directly to a vest, the VEP is easily flipped over the head for quick access or to get it out of the way while riding on vehicles.
You may notice that the main closure does not use zippers. Instead, they incorporated a stiffened roll top closure with Tubes. The height when the top is rolled down is roughly 17”, with top open it’s 21”. Additionally, it’s 4” deep and 12.5” wide.
Despite its small size, the sample VEP that Laplume showed me contained everything seen on the table above.
You can still mount a hydration on the back of your vest and the VEP will ride just fine and if you remove the VEP altogether, you will still have the water.
Naturally, after all of that, you’re going to look at this and wonder how you get it over your head. You use a Rat strap (above) that attaches to the pack via the daisy chain and is kept up front where you can get at it for a pull.
The VEP has 1″ webbing spanning both sides of the pack, about halfway down. This serves as daisy chain and allows adjustment of the removable compression net (which will accommodate a helmet). The bottom of the net secures via a bar.
Although everything is reversible, there are zippered pockets on either side. One side has a horizontal zipper and the other features a slanted zipper. This will help with figuring out what is in either pocket in the dark or under stress. Additionally, one side has a pile field for attachment of ID panels and the opposite a simple 1″ webbing handle which ends up on top once you roll it closed.
This video gives you a quick run through the paces.
Laplume showed me an early version of the VEP months ago and I immediately got it. There’s really nothing like this out on the market right now. In addition to the ability to fight from the contents of your buddy’s pack, the VEP offers so much to the individual wearing it. The ability to flip it up front for access or to free the back for sitting down in a seat is awesome. It’s also narrow and low profile enough that you can maneuver unencumbered through most any obstacle. In fact, it’s not wider than an armor plate. The size parameters of the VEP make it an edge to edge fit on carriers cut for the Swimmer/Shooter M – XL, SPEAR/SAPI M to XL or the MBAV S/M, L/XL & XXL. Plus, it’s lightweight.
Two more tidbits before I let you go. The VEP will fit into the open space of the frame on the new MIKE Force Pack and, Laplume says they are working on concepts for larger and waterproof versions of the VEP for down the road. Can’t wait to see if those materialize.
Available in Black, Ranger Green, Coyote and MultiCam. Optional VEP M4 Double Accessory Pouch sold separately.
UK-based PILGRIM has developed what they call the TACSAC Covert Chest Rig. Designed to appear and function as a vehicle go bag, the TACSAC can quickly transform into a Chest Rig by releasing and pulling down zip pulls on the bag. The loose flaps fold behind the bag and secure with Velcro.
With the contents of the bag secured to the webbing, it can also be used as a general purpose bag. It’s also small enough to fit within a vehicle footwell for quick access if the vehicle comes under contact.
PILGRIM states the TACSAC can be made in any color or material to help break up the profile of the end user. The TACSAC has recently been made in Black, Coyote Tan, and MultiCam.
It’s rare that I receive photos of a new product and say, “Wow, that is not what I expected,” but this week’s Friday focus evoked exactly that reaction. While FS has a distinct design aesthetic, I didn’t have something like this in my mind’s eye when they told me they had designed a jungle rucksack and frame. It’s also refreshing to see a product released before the season it’s meant for. There are are a variety of reasons to blame, but all too often we see mittens announced in Spring and shorts released in time for Thanksgiving.
But I digress. Please allow me to introduce the FS MIKE Force Pack System.
Paying respect to the vaunted Jungle Fighters who support US Special Forces in some of the most inhospitable tropical terrain on the planet the Mike Force Pack (MFP) utilizes many hard learned design features and augments them with modern, proven material advancements. The initial release scheduled for Summer 2015 will lead with the MFP, Standard – a 3.9-Pound Rucksack (Frame, Suspension and Pack included) with a cumulative volume of 2500 Cubic Inches. Utilizing advanced construction and fabric technology as well as innovative approaches in rapid drainage this design keeps close to its tropical combat roots while taking advantage of modern material advances. Optimized for loads in the 60-Pound range certain features in this system will ensure that when required, excessive loads can be managed.
Currently, there are three different sized waist belts planned for the MFP Suspension System and swapping out between them is easy and Operator friendly. The MIKE frame is one size fits most, and manufactured from an advanced thermal molded composition. For personnel not immediately familiar with pack systems designed for operations in deeply foliated, hot tropical environments the frame may initially seem to ride high, there is ample adjustment to raise and lower it on the body however, the design intent is to minimize conflict with your load bearing/fighting load, accentuate stand off from the back of the body to aid in ventilation/cooling and facilitate getting in and out of different body positions required for Jungle Warfare.
The MIKE Force Pack features two external pockets positioned on the outside, back center to aid in organization and provide access to smaller immediately needed items. An overstuff skirt is manufactured of lightweight/compressible material that is highly water resistant. The top flap of the pack is completely removable and features an accessory strap letting you use it as a Bolt Bag. An internal radio pocket can securely hold the AN/PRC-117G or dense, heavier items that are desired to be transported high and close to the back. Upcoming accessories will secure on to the MIKE Force Pack Standard and let you attach pockets and other features more suitable to open terrain, that will increase capacity further without changing to a larger bag. 2 Sleeves on the inner, side walls of the pack will each hold a 3 Liter On The Move drinking bladder and are aligned with pass through ports that allow the drinking hose to be accessed without having to open the pack. These same ports can be used for communication wires or antennas.
Additional bags, accessories and frame sizes/features as well as integrated floatation capabilities are planned for the MIKE Force Pack and will be phased into the FirstSpear product line. T&E systems are now available to agencies requesting a demonstration, contact FirstSpear for more details.
