Corps considering a range of rucks

[unhappycamper]

Marines from Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines watch as a CH-53 helicopter lands to transport them from their forward operating base in farah Province,Afghanistan, on October 12.


Corps considering a range of rucks
By Amy McCullough and Rob Curtis - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Dec 14, 2009 6:19:52 EST

Marine officials will begin field testing possible replacements for the Corps’ standard ruck as early as spring, having already identified at least five options for improving the pack that combat-tested leathernecks have deemed “completely unacceptable.”

The goal is to know what the new pack will look like by the end of 2010, said Lt. Col. A.J. Pasagian, head of the Corps’ infantry combat equipment systems.

The Corps has scheduled an industry day for the end of January, at which commercial vendors from across the country will demonstrate products to address shortcomings with the service’s Individual Load Bearing Equipment pack, which was approved in 2004 before the proliferation of improvised explosive devices prompted the development of beefier body armor. Marines surveyed by the Corps earlier this year said the pack doesn’t work well with their armor, noting also that it causes chaffing and pain in their knees, back and shoulders. Ultimately, they graded it “completely unacceptable.”

At least four existing packs, three of which already are in use within the Army and U.S. Special Operations Command, could do the job, Marine officials have said.

Additionally, the Corps will consider revamping the ILBE to accommodate Marines’ bulkier body armor. Officials have declined to give many specifics, citing acquisition laws that exist to ensure a fair competition can take place. But through discussions with leading pack manufacturers and by examining the basic requirements already mapped out by the Corps, an approximate picture of the next pack begins to emerge.


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/12/marine_newpack_121409/