Tactical Vests & Combat Assault Systems | Specwargear

Tactical Vests

AWS CCT / Pararescue LBE vest

Period: 1990s - 2000s.

AWS CCT / PJ LBE vest. The vest shares the basic design of the standard GI LBE vest. It has a padded shoulder harness, two front panels (left and right), and a back panel. All components are buckled together to make the vest. Pockets / pouches on the front panels are very specific. Front panels feature pockets for PRC-126 (128) / Motorola saber radio / MBITR radio, rifle / pistol magazines, grenades, strobe, battery, first aid kit, and etc.

The vest was used by AFSOC operators (STS, CCT, PJ).

Field photo: Sourced from Google images, USAF CCT, 1990s.

Special Operations Modular Assault Vest System (SOMAVS)

Period: Late 1980s - 1990s.

SOMAVS was made by ZAVTEC in the late 1980s. It is a modular vest system that is extremely versatile. The system can quickly be changed to various configurations depending on the operation, type of weapon, communications equipment, ordnance, or survival system required; and can be used for airborne / water operations. The system is made of 840 Denier ballistic nylon. This material is lightweight, non-hydroscopic and porous for ventilation. The whole system includes an assault vest, modular panels, an operational day / patrol pack, vest buoyancy modules, belt mounted pouches, drop leg holster / magazine pouches, BDU belt, and a chest mounted emergency extraction rappel harness.

The front of the vest has eight twist lock type fasteners, permitting a variety of modular pouches to be silently attached / changed / shared (between operators). All ammunition modules are designed to allow one motion extraction from pouch to weapon. To speed access, the pouches are positioned at a horizontal angle. This configuration becomes critical in a fire fight where maintaining minimum body elevation is essential.

Full length pockets inside the vest hold nylon wire handcuffs, maps, or other accessories. The shoulder pads are made of special closed cell foam for comfort and prolong usage. ZAVTEC also made a pair vest buoyancy modules that attach to the inside of each vest panel, providing 18 lbs positive buoyancy for riverine crossings, jumps, or combat swims.

After ZAVTEC closed their business, Eagle Industries began to manufacture the SOMAVS in the early 1990s. There are few differences between ZAVTEC SOMVAS and Eagle Industries SOMVAS. We will introduce the Eagle Industries SOMAVS in the near future.

Experimental Tactical Load Bearing Vest 1986 (2nd Pattern) & Combat Patrol Pack

Period: 1986.

This experimental vest was developed by Natick for the US military in 1986. The vest was made by Adventure Specialist, Contract No. DAAK60-86-C-0043.

Different from the 1st pattern, the 2nd pattern prototype vest has a new quick release system (located at the front of the shoulder pads) that allows quick-don-and-off a combat patrol pack made by Lowe Alpine. This vest system was field tested by the US Spec Ops units in the 80s and during Desert Storm.

LCS-84 Tactical Pack + Tactical Load Bearing Vest (TLBV)

Period: Late 1980s.

Lowe Alpine Tactical Pack (Load Carrying System 1984, LCS-84):
The tactical pack is in fact the top lid of the Lowe Alpine LCS-84 backpack. It is easily removed and attached to the tactical load bearing vest.

Tactical Load bearing vest (LBV-1988) set up:
The vest has no D-rings at the top, and the bottom D-rings are located at a higher position than the LCS-84 TLBV. Simply thread the 1-inch web from the tactical pack through the 2-inch webbings at the shoulder pads; then through the bottom D-rings and attach back to the lower two Fastex buckles on the tactical pack. (See pictures)

American Body Armor Tactical Load Bearing Vest

Period: Late 1980s - 1900s.

This vest is identical to the LOWE ALPINE / LCS-84 Tactical Load Bearing Vest (TLBV). It was used by US Spec Ops units in the 1980s, during Desert Storm, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Features:
4 pre-shaped ammo pockets and belt-attaching straps secured by both Velcro type fastener and non-glare snaps.
Exceptional high load-to-weight ratio. Weights only ounces yet carries whatever the user can bear.
Double stitched pockets feature quick pull tabs and are grommeted for quick drainage.
Quick-release buckles ease vest removal in emergency situations.
Military ballistics nylon construction with boxed-“X” reinforcements in stress areas.
Exposed seams are bounded with nylon tape.
Two lower oversize ammo / frag pockets.
Four 2-inchFastex “D” rings on the vest back for attaching the LCS-84 tactical pack.

Lowe Alpine Tactical Pack / ABA load bearing vest set up:
The vest has four 2-inch D-rings on the back. Simply thread the 1-inch web from the tactical pack through these four D-rings; then attach back to the lower two Fastex buckles on the tactical pack.

Field photo: Sourced from Google images, Navy SEAL, 1990s.

Navy SEAL Customized Assault Vest

Period: Late 1980s - 1900s.

This is a customized Navy SEAL assault vest:

Components:

SRU-21-P Survival vest.
ABA MP5 leg panel x 2.
SDU-5/E strobe pouch.
40mm triple grenade pouch, cut out from an ABA leg panel.
Customized canvas pouch at the back, (for radio?)