The new LBV is here already. Like the SAR21, like it or hate it,
it's here to stay. So no choice about the matter. And if you're a
support arms chap... heh, please be REAL patient. You won't touch
the LBV for many moons yet 
On that topic... A *certain* unit has chosen to fight their ATEC in
the old style SBO, despite being issued the LBV, and the certainty
of having to fight in their LBV in the event of a real shooting
war. Oh well... train as you fight 
The new field pack is here. It has a main pack and an assault pack.
Unfortunately, they cannot be piggybacked, so it's one or the
other. No aluminium stays or frame sheet, and no waist belt for
either. ALL the weight is thus on your shoulders. On the plus side,
the straps are fairly wide, and much better shaped. The main pack
is a humongous mother, easily able to fit what you will need.
Unfortunately... once loaded, the lack of a waistbelt becomes a
REAL pain... 
The assault pack is pretty decent. It's
small enought that you wont be tempted to overload it, yet can hold
enough to let you do limited 24 hour patrols etc. I dont have pics
of them, but they're out.
Id like to see something similar to the British Personal Role
Radio. Intra-section comms is very critical, especially if they are
serious about this 3G army and the 'strategic corporal'
concept.
Please... a new Section Automatic Weapon. Something that allows a
section to provide effective suppressive fire.
When are we going to get a replacement for the venerable Land
Rover? The army is in love with the Light Strike Vehicle, and
Guards is (justifiably?) proud of them, but the media claims that
the Landie is being replaced by a COTS 4x4 off-road vehicle hasn't
been borne out yet. A decent general utility 4x4 would be much
appreciated.
Hopefully within the (very) near future, the army would issue the
PVS-14 NVG to all infantry and Guards units, and to every soldier.
The older mini N-SEAS just shift too much on your helmet. The
PVS-14 is already issued to *some* units, and I got to use em on
ops. Slightly heavier, but much clearer and waaaaay more secure. A
fair trade I say.
Of course, all this has a definite Infantry slant... but as the
fellow carrying the pointy stick and charging at the ugly nasties,
I think some decent kit for Poor Bloody Infantry is in order.
