Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1086092
inch sewing and more. Things which are industry standard now. In this moment it is unclear how the test vest was labelled or how the commercial ones were marked, but from design point of view they were same. The Lowe Alpine/Vector Pack Systems catalog featured also LOCO and Vector I packs. PRE-PRODUCTION TBLV & FPLFI CONTRACT AWARD In April 1986 NLABS worked on solutions of problems with vest and the pack: main pack didn't fit radio properly and attachment of the patrol pack was still not working. The decision was to fit the pack with quick-release systems as in FPLIF and ALICE packs and the D-ring attachment system was out of question. The solution was simple: to the top of patrol pack a element shaped like bottom of ALICE pack strap (with QR as in LC-2) was sewn. The other part of attachment was added to the front piece of shoulder strap. The simple waist strap with buckle was added for better stability. The scope of trials was expanded, and it required more test equipment units. Two contracts were awarded: DAAK68-86-C-0043 for Adventure Sportswear (TLBV) and DAAK60-86-C-0047 (FPLIF) for Lowe Alpine. The new packs were similar to LCS-84 but in Woodland camouflage pattern. Some improvements were made and patrol pack lid was re-designed to meet NLABS requirements. The components were delivered to 7th Infantry Division for "Calfex'86" and "Team Spirit'87" exercises. After the trials, the components were ready for standardization but USAIB didn't approve the motion. First reason was permanent problem with patrol pack. Even after changes, the patrol pack dragged vest to the back (same thing happened in M1945 and M1956). Second reason was different: when patrol pack was detached from FPLIF, the main pack remain lid-less and the equipment inside was exposed. USAIB found it unacceptable (it took them a while…). The packs from 1986 experimental contract are Woodland camouflage, but the bottom remained brown. IIFS ADOPTION Eventually, the QR buckles attachment of patrol pack to the vest was abandoned and pack received its own fixed suspended. The top flap was added to the FPLIF (so now it had two top flaps). In October 1987 there was a final accept for new system. Field Pack Large with Integral Frame was officially adopted on 4th October 1988 (NSN 8465-01-286-5356) and Vest, Tactical Load Bearing was introduced on 25th March 1989 (8415-01-296-8878). Just before contract award, the 40 mm Grenadier Vest was added to IIFS. The main change was replacement of front panels with magazine and frag grenade pouches with 40 mm grenade pockets. This variant was officially adopted on 24th March 1990 (8415-01-317-1622). All the MIL-SPECs were developed between January 1988 and April 1989. Some parts were manufactured based on Rev.A (most changes included tags and labelling). In August 1990 the official care and use manual was prepared and complete IIFS was ready for full-scale production. IIFS COMPONENTS Vest Tactical Load Bearing NSN: 8415-01-296-8878 MIL-V-44323 – 23 Jan 1988, MIL-V-44323A – 27 Apr 1988 VTLB has four main sections. Shoulder harness, two front panels with total 6 pockets (4 for M16 30 round magazines and 2 for frag grenades). The back panel has webbing attachment points and connects all the parts together. There is also a "skeleton frame" from two webbing straps and all the panels are sewn to it. Front panels are 8.oz Woodland Cordura fabric (pattern is printed on one side). The vertical webbing strap connecting panel with shoulder straps is sewn underneath the external magazine pocket. To each front panel there are three boxed-shaped pockets sewn on. Pockets have walls www.fragoutmag.com