The Improved Load Bearing Equipment or ILBE is a United States Marine Corps program that includes individual load carriage equipment, individual hydration systems (Source One Hydration) and individual water purification. Since the rucksack was the first part of the program issued to Marines, the ruck is commonly referred to as simply "ILBE". The ILBE ruck was designed to replace the existing ALICE and MOLLE packs. The ILBE is designed by Arc'teryx's Law Enforcement and Armed Forces "LEAF" program and manufactured by Propper Inc. The backpack is made from Cordura 725 denier fabric, with MARPAT camouflage pattern printed onto it. The pack is also covered with a PALS grid, for the attachment of smaller modular pouches. It includes a main pack, a detachable assault pack and a 100-ounce (3 liter) water reservoir. The ILBE can hold up to 120 pounds and has room for 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds outside the main pack. Specialized bags for corpsmen and reconnaissance units are also available.
Because the ILBE was fielded before the creation of the Modular Tactical Vest, the pack does not integrate well, and this stress with body armor can cause discomfort and injury. Marine Corps Systems Command announced a replacement was forthcoming in 2009, with possible replacements including two entries from Mystery Ranch, Granite Gear, and the Army's improved version of MOLLE. In 2011, the Corps finished testing and released a solicitation for prototypes under the name "USMC Pack", outlying design requirements that are similar to improved MOLLE.
Famous quotes containing the words improved, load, bearing and/or equipment:
“There was no speculation so promising, or at the same time so praisworthy, as the United Metropolitan Improved Hot Muffin and Crumpet Baking and Punctual Delivery Company.”
—Charles Dickens (1812–1870)
“To watch another carrying a load requires no exertion.”
—Chinese proverb.
“When we our betters see bearing our woes,
We scarcely think our miseries our foes.
Who alone suffers, suffers most i’ the mind,
Leaving free things and happy shows behind.
But then the mind much sufferance doth o’er skip,
When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Biological possibility and desire are not the same as biological need. Women have childbearing equipment. For them to choose not to use the equipment is no more blocking what is instinctive than it is for a man who, muscles or no, chooses not to be a weightlifter.”
—Betty Rollin (b. 1936)