Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, or MOLLE (pronounced ), is the current generation of load-bearing equipment used by the United States Army.
MOLLE equipment uses Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS)-type webbing – rows of heavy-duty nylon stitched onto the gear – to attach pouches. This method has found use on civilian gear, and as a result, the term 'MOLLE' is used outside the military for any equipment generally using PALS-type webbing. The system's modularity results from the PALS allowing for the attachment of various compatible pouches and accessories. This method of attachment has become a de facto standard for modular tactical gear, replacing the All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) clips and webbing used in the earliest modular vest systems.
The MOLLE system replaced the aging ALICE equipment, adopted in 1973, and the Individual Integrated Fighting System (IIFS) used since 1988 in US Army and Marine Corps service.
Background
Even prior to the introduction of MOLLE, another lightened system of load-carrying equipment had been developed. Known as the Individual Integrated Fighting System (IIFS) and also TLBV, it intended to replace the older All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE). The IIFS load-bearing vests (rifle and 40mm grenadier configurations) had their origins in the vests used by US Navy SEALS and other special operations forces in Vietnam. Though the IIFS did not live up to its expected purpose, it did lay the groundwork for future equipment.
ALICE and IIFS packs
In 1988, the US Army adopted a new internal frame pack system, a subsystem in IIFS. The design was based on commercial backpacks modified for military use with the addition of a special fighting vest and a detachable patrol pack. The original focus was to develop a load-carrying system for use in cold weather. However, in the end, the US Army decided the new internal frame pack would be the replacement for the external framed All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system. Production and distribution started in 1990 but by 1993 it was evident that the new internal frame pack was unacceptable to a large number of combat personnel. during its routine surveys of users of Natick developed food, clothing, shelters, and individual equipment items. and would lighten the soldier's load.
Fielding
The MOLLE system was introduced in 1997, but did not see widespread issue until after the September 11 attacks in 2001, primarily by U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
MOLLE entered full rate production in August 2001. Fielding began in October 2001.
Criticisms
Early criticisms of the MOLLE system emerged, particularly from the Army. Many of these criticisms have centered on the sustainment-load pack and frame, due to the external plastic frame being too fragile and subject to breaking in the field (since mitigated), that the zippers have a tendency to burst when stuffed full and that the pack's straps lack sufficient length to be used with bulky body armor.
Pouches are attached by aligning the PALS webbing on the platform and the pouch so that the rows interleave with each other and the bartacks are aligned. An anchoring strap on the pouch is then woven through both sets of webbing and secured with a snap fastener at the base. This interwoven and interlocking design keeps the pouch securely in place. In other words, the height of webbing can be off by about half of 1/10th an inch, and still remain within tolerance. In metric, the tolerance is within roughly 1.25 mm on the low end and roughly 2.00 mm on the high end.
The misalignment of divider bartacks in 1.5 inch insert loops is considered acceptable within approx. wide.
Components
The MOLLE system has several components; a Fighting Load Carrier (FLC) vest, modular pouches/pockets, large rucksack (aka main pack & Sleep System Carrier), assault pack, pack frame, and hydration system.
The modular pouches can carry 30 round ammunition magazines, squad automatic weapon 100 and 200 round magazines, fragmentation grenades, 40mm grenades, 9mm magazines, and 1 quart canteens. The TAP is covered with PALS webbing and storage for up to eight rifle magazines (six 5.56 magazines + two 7.62 NATO magazines, or eight 5.56 magazines).
; Assault pack: The Assault Pack is a backpack with 2000 cubic inches (32L) of storage space.
; Medium rucksack: The Medium Rucksack is an external frame rucksack with 3000 cubic inches (50L) of storage space. It is designed to be worn over body armor and supports loads up to 60 lbs. It features a large main compartment with internal dividers for items like the hydration system, 60mm mortar rounds, along with a harness for ASIP radios. Two smaller compartments are located outside the main compartment. The pack is adorned in PALS webbing.
; Large rucksack: The Large Rucksack is an external frame rucksack with 4000 cubic inches (65L) of storage space. It features a large main compartment with an internal divider between the upper and lower half for organizing loads. It is covered with PALS webbing, and ALICE webbing on the side to support legacy items such as the 2 quart canteen pouch. It is highly adjustable for comfort and load distribution. The MOLLE large rucksack with straps and frame weighs when empty.