U.S. Army FPLIF (CFP-90) Rucksack

The is a genuine issue Army Field Pack, Large, w/ Internal Frame (FPLIF) or more commonly referred to as the "CFP-90" rucksack. It is in used, very good condition. While there are signs of use, it was not heavily used in the field. Its only drawback is that the interior has a musty smell, much like the old lightweight ponchos. I believe that this is because the pack is waterproofed with a similar rubberized coating.

This is not a commercial copy. This is an actual issue pack dated 1991.

For many years the U.S. Military was eager to move beyond the tried and true ALICE type LBE and rucksack systems. A part of this eagerness was the desire to adapt emerging systems that were being developed in the rapidly expanding outdoor recreation industry. In the early to mid 1980's, Special Operations troops started testing rucksacks developed by Lowe Alpine to replace the ALICE pack. Its purpose was to be more ergonomic and to provide a better load distribution. It found general acceptance by operators and was incorporated into the military's next generation of field gear as the FPLIF - or CFP-90 as it's usually called. The term CFP-90 does not appear to be official, but there is an indication that it came from the designation "Combat, Field Pack, M-1990".

The pack was meant to be a part of the "Individual Integrated Fighting System" (IIFS) which included the infamous load bearing vest (LBV). The fighting man's subsistence load would be carried in the large pack. The soldier could attach an "assault pack" to the ruck sack via Fastex buckles. The large pack would then be dropped in a patrol base while the soldier moved to the objective carrying essentials in the assault pack. This was a novel idea at the time. Neither the FPLIF or the LBV found widespread acceptance. At 8600 CU, the large pack was often considered to be too big for the typical infantry loads. Its internal frame was likewise criticized as being inadequate for carrying large or irregular loads such as machine gun spare barrels, tripods or mortar ammunition. The most popular and enduring part of the system was the assault pack, which was a prized possession among light infantrymen in the 1990's. Most soldiers reverted back to the ALICE pack and ALICE LBE but retained the assault pack and added attachment points to their ALICE packs to accept the assault pack.

The CFP-90 pack is, however, a very popular alternative to the ALICE pack for normal outdoor use. Its influence on the future generations of MOLLE packs is obvious at first glance with the two large side sustainment pouches and the integral sleeping bag carrier with the false bottom at the main compartment.