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.

After calls for a more streamlined field oriented pack, FirstSpear developed the Field Ruck which offers more than 2000 cu in of carrying capacity. This week, we’ll take a look at this new pack which is an adaptation of the HOTEL 23, one of FirstSpear’s original products.

For one thing, They stripped all of the PALS webbing found on the HOTEL 23 the pack.  On the Field Ruck, the side slots, which FS calls “wings”, accept tripods or other items such as trekking poles, antennas, probes, etc. Additional side carriage of gear such as rockets is facilitated by the 1.5″ compression straps. The buckles are large enough to find in the dark and can be manipulated in the cold, even while wearing gloves or mittens. The 6/12 compatible waist belt can also be removed when not needed in order to further streamline the ruck.  Additionally, inside the bag, divider walls provide organization for the main compartment. These dividers can be pushed out of the way to maximize storage compartment space.

I really like the roll top closure at the top of the ruck’s bag. An extension skirt on the top of the main compartment can be rolled and secured with a side release buckle. This gives you a little extra carrying room. Additionally, there is a zippered opening at the top for quick access.

The Field Ruck’s bottom incorporates drainage holes.

The shoulder strap quick release is easy to manipulate and should be familiar to military users.

The lid can be removed and used on its own if needed.

Offered in Black, Coyote, Ranger Green and MultiCam.

www.first-spear.com