USMC looking for new packs and body armor

The Marine Corps just announced a couple of RFIs. The first one, for Individual Load Bearing Equipment (ILBE), hit a couple weeks ago. The second, looking for new body armor, landed just this morning. Together, the two mean the Corps knows ILBE and body armor don’t work together; and they realize it’s time to fix it.

The industry day for the ILBE program will be held Jan 22, 2010 in Salt Lake City, presumably to take advantage of a large number of pack company’s presence at the Outdoor Retailer show. The body armor industry day will be in Las Vegas Jan 19, 2010 when body armor companies will converge at Shot Show.

The Marines are looking for process and material enhancements that have come to market since ILBE’s addoption 6 years ago that can make ILBE2 lighter, stronger and more adaptable than the current system. ILBE was brought in to rescue the Corps after the audacious design of the MOLLE system (pictured above) folded under the weight of it’s own complexity and fragility.

The other RFI is interesting because it shows the Corps is not only continuing, but accelerating its march away from the modular tactical vest (MTV) in it’s recognition that greater mobility equates to improved lethality in the infantry.

It looks like even their latest system, the improved scalable plate carrier (ISPC), isn’t cool enough for the Corps.One line of the solicitation in particular gives a clear indication of the Marine Corps’ intent: “MARCORSYSCOM is particularly interested in previously unexamined, lighter weight, and innovative armor solutions equaling or surpassing current performance standards.” Off the cuff, this makes me think of the Archangel body armor system. It might not be lighter, but it’s feels lighter, and it is innovative. Let’s hope the USMC realizes that armor and loadbearing equipment need to work together when these two programs get fielded.

Photo Caption: Marines from the 26th MEU load up their MOLLE packs as they head out on a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft & Personnel (TRAP) mission at Kandahar International Airport, 1/20/02. Photo: Rob Curtis