Modular Rucksack Helps Soldiers Tailor Load.

• Author: Foster, Sharon
• Position: Tech Talk - Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment - Brief Article

U.S. Army units have begun receiving the new MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) system, developed by the Soldier Systems Center, in Natick, Mass. Eventually, Marine units will get the system, too, said John Kirk, project engineer at Natick.

The MOLLE is a nylon mesh vest, with removable pockets to accommodate different carrying needs of combat soldiers, including riflemen, grenadiers, squad assault weapon gunners or medics, he said.

MOLLE replaces the ALICE (All-purpose, Lightweight, Individual Carrying Equipment) pack and Integrated Individual fighting system, which was introduced in 1988.

"ALICE has served its purpose for 28 years," said Kirk. "It was time for an upgrade with the changing threats. Now we're more specified in fighting requirements and applying advances in technology."

A major difference between the two systems is in he frame. ALICE used a tubular-aluminum frame, while MOLLE employs a new anatomically-contoured frame made with a plastic similar to...