MOLLE

Developed at Natick, it consisted of the Individual Tactical Load Bearing Vest (ITLBV) and the Field Pack, Large, Internal Frame (FPLIF).

A modified version of the combat field pack from the old Vietnam-era M1967 Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment (MLCE) was adopted for use in the system.

Many of these criticisms have centered on the sustainment-load pack and frame, due to the external plastic frame being too fragile and subject to breaking in the field (since mitigated), that the zippers have a tendency to burst when stuffed full and that the pack's straps lack sufficient length to be used with bulky body armor.

[2] The first generation of this system used a ball and socket joint between the frame and rucksack belt (which in itself formed the waistbelt of the MOLLE vest).

This method led to numerous lower back injuries due to the ball (mounted on the frame) missing the socket on the waistbelt and hurting the user's body.

Subsequent redesign of the SDS MOLLE led to the deletion of this feature and the vest (FLC) and ruck/frame became separate non-integral items.