Individual integrated fighting system
The IIFS has conceptual roots in combat and load carrying vests designed by Natick Laboratories for the employment and use by United States Navy SEALs during the Vietnam War.
The IIFS load carrying vest, as having been a major conceptual improvement over precursing load bearing systems, was designed to replace the individual equipment belt, individual equipment belt suspenders, and small arms ammunition cases.
Along with the tactical load carrying vest, a new individual equipment belt was later introduced, featuring a black plastic ITW Fastex quick-release buckle and redesigned adjustment system.
It was decided that instead of contracting new individual ALICE components in the woodland camouflage pattern, that the remainder of already existing and widely available ALICE components will be utilized with the IIFS These being mainly the water canteen cover, the field first aid dressing case, entrenching tool cover and small arms ammunition cases.
The IIFS variant is manufactured in the woodland camouflage pattern and retains the same national stock number.
The primary component of the IIFS the tactical load carrying vest (vest, tactical load carrying [NSN 8415-01-317-1622]) is constructed of a seven-ounce nylon fabric printed in the woodland camouflage pattern and weighs 1.8 pounds empty.
The tactical load carrying vest closes in front with two chest straps using plastic quick release buckles.
Two 21⁄4 inch [5.71 cm] webbing and two D-rings sewn to the back of the tactical load carrying vest can be used as equipment attachment points.
It is constructed of a seven-ounce nylon fabric printed in the woodland camouflage pattern and weighs 2.1 pounds empty.
The ammunition carrying vest closes in front with two chest straps using plastic quick release buckles.
Two 21⁄4 inch [5.71 cm] webbing and two D-rings sewn to the back of the ammunition carrying vest can be used as equipment attachment points.
The main compartment has a false bottom that may be opened for full use of the field pack when a sleeping bag is not carried.
The internal frame comprises two aluminum staves running the full height of the field pack.
With the "LCS-88" experimental version, the patrol pack attached directly to the shoulder straps of the LBV, and a waist belt was used to keep it from bouncing around.
