Modernized load-carrying equipment

The United States Army entered the conflict in Southeast Asia with the canvas and cotton duck M-1956 load-carrying equipment (LCE).

Nylon duck and webbing proved to be lightweight, unaffected by mildew, fast-drying as it absorbed little water, and resisted abrasion well.

The MLCE consisted essentially of the same items of similar design as the LCE, but substituted nylon for cotton, and aluminum and plastic for steel and brass hardware where possible.

Nylon's light weight and durable qualities led the United States Army to consider the MLCE for Army-wide adoption.

A study was undertaken in the early 1970s to identify any shortcomings and to propose improvements for a new load-carrying equipment system to replace the LCE and MLCE.