Field Pack, Large, With Internal Frame

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General Information

Name: Field Pack, Large, With Internal Frame.
Country of Origin: The United States.
Manufacturer: Yet to be identified.
Date of manufacture: Yet to be identified.
NATO Stock Number (NSN): 8465-01-286-5356.
Camouflage Pattern: M-1981 Woodland Camouflage Pattern.
Equipment Family: Individual Integrated Fighting System (IIFS).
Number Of Compartments: Five.
Volume Capacity: 115L.
Weight: 3.5kg.
Waterproof: Yes, but depends on the condition of the fabric.
Frame: Internal.

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History

In 1988, the Army adopted the Field Pack, Large as part of the Individual Integrated Fighting System, intended to replace the All-Purpose, Lightweight, Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system. The design of the field pack was based on a much earlier commercial backpack produced by Lowe Alpine Systems, Inc, specifically their Vector series of field packs. In the mid-1980s, a smaller, removable Patrol pack was added to the field pack, which attached to the top of the field pack’s lid and was used for short patrols.

This design of the field pack marked a significant departure from the more traditional external frame designs previously issued by the US military. The development of the field pack aimed to address the shortcomings of the Large ALICE pack, including increasing storage space, enhancing comfort and maneuverability, and improving protection for contents in rain and snow.

The Field pack featured a new style of suspension system that allowed the harness to be adjusted up or down on a plastic rail, and it included a padded waistband that better distributed the weight onto the hips.

Despite being a major leap forward in pack design, the Field pack received mixed reviews from soldiers who used it. Feedback ranged from complaints about discomfort during long-distance carrying to instances where the internal frame couldn’t handle the heavy loads required by infantry soldiers in the field. Some also noted issues with substandard quality, which was later attributed to the government’s procurement system.

Although it was not frequently favored over the Large ALICE pack, the Field pack was finally phased out of service in 2021. Future orders were canceled, and it was replaced with the Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) rucksack.

Description

The field pack features a large, flat lid that securely closes over the main compartment using two webbing straps and side-release buckles. Additionally, it includes a spacious, flat internal pocket that is secured shut with hook and loop fasteners.

On the front face of the pack, you’ll discover three rows of webbing loops with M-10 hangers, perfect for attaching webbing pouches. The lower loops on each side are specifically designed to accommodate ice axes or similar items.

Access to the lower compartment is facilitated through a plastic zipper located at the bottom. This access is further secured by two webbing straps with side-release buckles. The base of this compartment is reinforced with a layer of heavy-duty nylon duck fabric and boasts extra webbing loops sewn onto the bottom.

The left side of the pack features a long rectangular side pouch, which is sealed with side compression straps. Further down, there’s a second compression strap. On the right side, you’ll find two smaller pouches, each half the size of the left one, with their lids secured by compression straps.

The main opening of the pack is equipped with a large olive drab nylon snow collar at the top. This collar can be cinched in to securely hold the contents.

Inside, the back wall of the pack features a generous open-top compartment designed to hold a field radio. In the middle of the pack, two sections of fabric are laced together, effectively dividing it into a top and bottom section.

The back of the pack incorporates an aluminum stay (flat rod) on each side, serving as an external frame. These stays are firmly held in position with a series of webbing loops and are secured at the top with a webbing strap featuring a metal dome. The stays also secure a green nylon mesh pad and the waistband in place. In the middle of the stays, there’s a black plastic rail to which the shoulder straps are attached, allowing for height adjustment according to the wearer’s preference. The shoulder straps are then securely fastened in place with bolts.

The plastic backing is covered with a green nylon mesh pad, which is padded with soft closed-cell foam rubber. The position of this pad can be easily adjusted up or down along the aluminum stays.

The shoulder straps are generously padded with thick closed-cell foam rubber and feature quick-release mechanisms similar to those found on the ALICE pack. They also come with an adjustable chest strap, and at the top, you’ll find load-lifters. The top of the pack includes a webbing carrying handle. On the sides of the load-lifter buckles, there are side-release buckles that securely fasten the top of the Pack, Combat, Patrol to the field pack.

The field pack is further equipped with a heavily padded waistband, also padded with thick closed-cell foam rubber. The outside of the waistband boasts webbing loops for attaching additional pouches, and it fastens around the waist with a 50mm side-release buckle.