Singapore Army is set to equip full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) in combat support and combat service support units with a new Load-Bearing System (LBS).
According to an article written by Koh Eng Beng in Pioneer publication, the new better-fitting LBS is designed to replace the older integrated Load-Bearing Vest (iLBV).
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Made of durable and lightweight material, the system ensures better weight distribution to reduce strain on shoulders.
Additionally, it improves heat dissipation by 30% to increase comfort when soldiers undertake enduring missions.
The LBS comes in two variants, enhanced and standard. The NSFs in combat support and combat service support units will be equipped with the standard variant from next year.
Singapore Army has already started equipping NSFs from combat units with the LBS (Enhanced) since January.
The Centre of Excellence for Soldier Performance (CESP) started the development of the LBS in 2016. An extensive one-year trial followed across various army formations to assess the efficacy of the system.
CESP Soldier Systems Integration Lab Field Trial Warrant Officer 1st Warrant Officer Heng Song Po was quoted by the publication as saying: “The design is based on our local population. It provides you with better comfort as well as improved mobility when out in the field.
“During the trials, we found that LBS is…highly effective in terms of heat dissipation (and) load distribution. And all these are features that soldiers on the ground actually do appreciate.”
Apart from LBS, the Singapore Army has also started issuing a new helmet which is lighter than the previous version. The soldiers can also fit night vision goggles and communication headset with these helmets.
