Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment

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Original components of the M-1967 MLCE circa 1967

US Army infantryman wearing the M-1967 MLCE circa 1967

Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment, also known as M-1967 Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment or MLCE, is introduced into United States Army service in 1968 during the Vietnam War. The M-1967 MLCE is not specifically designed to replace the canvas and cotton duck M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment [LCE] [which is the current United States Army load-carrying system at the time], but instead it is designed for use in tropical environments.

1 History
2 Components
3 See also
4 External Links

[edit] History

The United States Army infantry rifleman enters the conflict in Southeast Asia with the canvas and cotton duck M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment [LCE]. Developed in the early-1950s, the M-1956 LCE is designed for use with all small arms currently in United States Army service. Defeciencies with the M-1956 LCE are immediately realized once fielded in the tropical climates of Southeast Asia. Canvas, cotton duck, and webbing, even when treated to prevent mildew, is still affected by it, along with dry rot due to constant wetting and drying. Cotton also absorbs a great deal of water, adding to its weight, and is slow drying; it also withstands abrasion poorly.

As with just about everything else in use in Southeast Asia by the United States Army, from boots to field dressings to ammunition packaging, the design of load-carrying equipment is also changed in an effort to provide lightweight individual equipment that can better withstand the rigours of a tropical environment.

Nylon duck and webbing proves to be lightweight, unaffected by mildew, fast-drying as it absorbs little water, and resists abrasion well. It does have limitations; its shiny when new; being somewhat stiff, it makes a rustling noise against vegetation; and it melts when exposed to high heat.

The M-1967 Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment [MLCE], initially termed Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment [LLCE], is developed specifically for use in Southeast Asia. Its issue begins in 1968, but never fully replaces the M-1956 LCE nor is issued in complete sets. M-1967 MLCE consists essentially of the same items of similar design as the M-1956 LCE, but substitutes nylon for cotton, and aluminium and plastic for steel and brass hardware where possible.

Nylon's light weight and durable qualities lead the United States Army to consider the M-1967 MLCE for United States Army-wide adoption. A study is undertaken in the early 1970s to identify any shortcomings and to propose improvements for a new load-carrying equipment system to replace the M-1956 LCE and M-1967 MLCE.

The M-1967 MLCE continues to serve the United States Army well into the 1970s until replaced by the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment.

[edit] Components

The M-1967 MLCE is comprised of the following components:

Belt, Individual Equipment medium [NSN 8465-00-935-6815] large [NSN 8465-00-935-6816]

Carrier, Intrenching Tool [NSN 8465-00-935-6826]
Carrier, Sleeping Equipment [NSN 8465-00-935-6813]
Case, Field First Aid Dressing - Unmounted Magnetic Compass [NSN 8465-00-935-6814]
Case, Small Arms Ammunition [NSN 8465-00-935-6780]
Cover, Water Canteen [NSN 8465-00-860-0256]
Field Pack [NSN 8465-00-935-6825]
Suspenders, Individual Equipment Belt [NSN 8465-00-935-6830]

The following individual equipment items are issued alongside the M-1967 MLCE:

Cover, Water Canteen [NSN 8465-00-927-7485] - two-quart canteen
Field Pack [NSN 8465-00-935-6673] - aka "tropical rucksack"
Vest, Ammunition Carrying [NSN 8465-00-141-0926-series] - aka "grenade vest"

In 1969 a new version of the Case, Small Arms Ammunition is introduced for use with the 30-round cartridge magazine for the Rifle, 5.56 Millimeter, M16A1: