Frag Out! Magazine
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Committee), it must be assumed that works over nylon equipment systems began at Natick Labs already in 1961. The first version of the Lightweight Rucksack was developed back then from nylon and alumi- num. The rucksack weighed 3 pounds (1.4 kg). For comparison, the weight of earlier version was 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg). Already back then, the US Army infantry officers who tested the new pack came with idea that it the weight of M1956 LBE could also be decreased, if made from similar materials. A test set of such equipment was created at Natick Labs in 1962 and it appeared that it weighed 3 pounds (1.4 kg), compared to the M1956 kit that weighed 5 pounds (2.3 kg). The experience with the first nylon equipment was included in QMR Annex A, which stated that the goal was to have the Fighting Load weigh 3.3 pounds in total (1.5 kg), the pack limit was determined to be 3 pounds (1.4 kg). It was also stated that – if possible – all the fabric elements should be made of nylon and steel or brass should be replaced with aluminum or plastic. Already in 1966, another six sets M1956 LBE nylon equipment kits were produced for testing. In 1967, 550 sets were produced for further testing. Some of them were sent to Viet- nam where nylon webbing performed well. Apart from decreasing the weight, the nylon and water resistant coated equipment had some resistance to soaking. Even if completely soaked, it did not increase the weight so drastically as in the case of canvas equipment. What is more, nylon was mildew resistant. After the first experiences with nylon equipment, in 1968 the USARV (US Army Vietnam) filed a request for a significant number of such equipment for use Vietnam. Despite the lack of final MIL-SPEC for new equipment that was called LLCE (Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment) in documents, about 20,000 sets of "Limited Procure- ment" equipment were produced in 1968 for USARV. Today, those el- ements are often called M1967 or MLCE (Modified/Modernized Load Carrying Equipment). It must be highlighted that upon production of LLCE elements in 1968, none of those names was used in documents or on the stamps. The M1967 name appeared in the 1970's on can- teen covers and sometimes, at random, on other elements. The name MLCE appeared at the turn of the 1980-1990's in several publications about equipment during the Vietnam War and was actually made up. It has to be highlighted, that in 1968 only nylon belts, H-harness, dress- ing cases, and sleeping bag carriers were manufactured, before ALICE was introduced. In 1968–1972, several types of 20 and 30-round M16 magazine pouches, buttpacks (USMC only), and canteen covers were manufactured from nylon. Some of those elements, depending on the contractor, were not designated as M1967 until the 1970's. Some concepts considered as a part of LINCLOE were abandoned pretty quickly during tests and the components never made to serial production. One of such ideas was a Vest, Combat for equipment. www.fragoutmag.com