SS just posted a very interesting study showing that archangel may be on to something.
http://soldiersystems.net/tag/archangel-armor/
The question I have though, is how does it work for medium or light loads? Is there benefit for someone who is not humping across Tora Bora? Is their a LEO or PMC application? Is there a point where the design becomes a hindrance for high profile missions with medium loads?
i’d like to see the same kind of study done for the Crye StKSS system which is simple, adds practically no weight, and offloads the plate carrier weight from the shoulders.
Mystery Ranch is involved with the project, so thats a good thing.
Yes, it is. Dana Gleason knows a few things about backpacks. Mystery Ranch currently has on-going procurement for the United States Navy SEAL Team.
In fact, that harness, load lifting straps over the shoulders, and the concept of moving loads to the major muscles of the legs and hips, look like standard internal frame backpack technology that has been around for years to me. My 1990’s Dana Designs Terraplane has them.
I think the Crye system is a better option for medium weight loads. I doubt I will ever see it for sale any time soon. 
There is a trend I have noticed over here with PSD contractors and their kit. Well, at least the ones I work with. This trend is to move all the mags off the vest and put them on the belt.
I have started to carry my mags on my blastbelt and so far it seems a bit better. More streamlined torso, mag changes are a bit faster, and more comfortable inside a vehicle. It does take a lot of weight off the shoulders too. You can also dump your vest and still retain your ammo. Or, if someone is knocked out of the fight, you can take their belt rig to secure more ammo if needed, leaving their armor on them for protection.
The only problem I have seen so far, is that the Crye belt sleeve sags a bit with the weight. Someone else on our team just ordered the BFG belt and we will see how it works.
Even with six mags, I don’t need to use suspenders with my belt.
Just curious, IN, what mag pouches do you use with your blastbelt? I just picked up an older model blastbelt and want to test this set up vs. a TT MAV or similar Crye mav. I don’t want to start buying without considering the proper type to wear with armor that may impede drawing from some mag pouches.
I can’t imagine running 6 carbine mags, though. I will probably max out at 2 or 3 so I have room for pistol mags and small FAK.
My main pouches are some Tactical Taylor single mag shingles that I got back in 2005. I had removed the bungies a few years ago, but you need em for a belt rig with this pouch. The mags tend to fall out without them.
One pouch I am very happy with is the SDK ESSTAC pouch with a kydex liner. I don’t see them for sale yet, so maybe this is a new design. It was sent to me by SDK along with some other pouches. I am still testing it out and will post a full review later. But, it looks just like a regular shingle and if you look closely, it appears to be slightly thicker. The kydex is arched with a crease in the lower third of the pouch. With a Pmag, it snaps in perfectly on one of the mag’s ridges. It feels more secure than the FastMag Gen 2 pouches I had before. I need to see how well the pouch holds up to the Iraqi summer…
Another guy on my team is using the FastMag gen 3 on his belt and they are working well. Everyone else seems to be using various mag shingles, but they all have the bungie cord retention. Nobody is using flaps.
Some even have mags going all the way around the belt. It looks silly at first, but when you try it out, the mags are not that hard to get to, especially if you spin the belt around.
I have yet to try this setup on the range.
…
Brilliant, and, I am surprised that no one came up with this sooner.
I think Crye was in the ballpark with their chassis systems but I think the Archangel may have hit it out.
The concept of supporting body armor like a ruck is brilliant in it’s potential effectiveness and simplicity.
Look for others to copy the concept.
However, I am not sure that it will replace plate carriers and low-vis rigs. On of our SFARTEC guys was sizing a Crye CAGE against the MBAV. He said ‘the Crye is good for DA but the MBAV is for everyday.’
the Crye StKSS system i was referring to is a different thing from just the chassis. the CAGE does not have the StKSS system - their new CPC does. the StKSS does essentially the same thing as the archangel, but without the added weight or bulk.
MM, in what way is this system different from the CAGE or the usual cummerbund set up everyone uses?
I have only seen a couple of exterior pics of this rig.
armati, i have some pics and a description here:
http://www.militarymorons.com/gear/crye4.html
the CPC (cage plate carrier - not the CAGE chassis) has two ‘stays’, like a pack frame, on either side. the stays are removable, and fit into two pockets on the side of the torso/flank panels. the stays connect to the low profile belt, which has pockets sewn into it. when adjusted correctly, the stays support the weight of the CPC by transferring it to the hips/waistbelt. same thing as a frame, only that the stays are located on the sides instead of the back.
it works with the CPC because the entire CPC is semi-rigid, like a shell. pouches and plates mounted on the CPC are supported by the flanks, which the stays attach to.
in order for the stays to offload weight, the vest needs to have some rigidity to it, which most other vests don’t. if you attach stays to any other armour carrier on the sides, it’ll just end up pushing the cummerbund or side panels up into your arms while the rest sags.
Thanks. I get it. Looks like all roads lead to Rome.
Clearly this is the future for serious DA rigs. However, the AWG has the Army moving full bore toward the Eagle MBAV. I am curious about how this will play out.
I wonder how long it will take for Natick to submit it’s own ‘original’ idea.
pretty interesting stuff.
I dont understand why they dont integrate the load straps into the shoulder straps on the vest. Seems like there is still a long way to go.