MOLLEModular Lightweight Load-carrying EquipmentMOLLE is an acronym for MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. It is pronounced like the girl's name Molly. MOLLE is the webbing system in use by the US Army. It was first introduced in the very late 1990s but it wasn't widely issued until after the 9/11 terror attacks. It has seen action in Afghanistan and Iraq. It uses rows of heavy duty nylon stitched in a criss-cross pattern known as PALs. PALs stands for Pouch Attachment Ladder system. The pouches have straps at the back, which are threaded in and out of the PALs webbing and then attached back onto the pouch. There are basically three types of re-attachment - one that just tucks into the pouch backing, one that requires a screwdriver to attach it, and one that uses a popper or press stud (probably the most popular). Technically, MOLLE should only be used to describe systems as developed by Natick Labs, but it is becoming a generic term for any system which uses PALs and is compatible with US issue components. The MOLLE system comprises: Most of the early criticisms of the MOLLE system were more to do with the rucksack rather than the vest and pouches. For example, the plastic frame and the zips were not considered robust enough, and the way the rucksack frame attached to the vest belt was prone to cause injury. These faults have now been corrected in the latest issue, or shown to be unfounded. Because of the specialist needs of the US Marine Corps, they have now stopped using the MOLLE system in favour of ILBE (Improved Load Bearing Equipment).
|
