The All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) was adopted as Standard A on 17 January 1973 to replace M-1956 and M-1967 systems.

The SPEAR Body Armor/Load Carriage System (BALCS) consists of body armor, an equipment load carrying subsystem, and a backpack subsystem.

The Marine Corps Close Quarters Battle Equipment (CQBE) consists of the assault suit, assault vest system, individual assault kit, assault gas mask, assault breacher kit, and assault breacher torch kit.

Family of Improved Load Bearing Equipment (FILBE) utilized by the United States Marine Corps is designed to allow Marines to carry equipment needed in support of combat operations. The load bearing erquipment system is modular in order to meet the unique needs of the warfighter. The system will maximize the ability to carry combat loads efficiently, minimize the burdens of weight, improve overall system compatibility and increase the combat effectiveness of the user.

Full Spectrum Battle Equipment (FSBE) reduces the component weight, provides a single point of release mechanism, and has an integrated breathing and flotation system. FSBE replaces the Close Quarters Battle Equipment (CQBE) Assault Vest System (AVS).

In 1988, the Integrated Individual Fighting System (IIFS) was adopted by the Army. The design was based on commercial backpacks modified for military use with the addition of a special fighting vest and a detachable patrol pack. The original focus was to develop a load-carrying system for use in cold weather. However, in the final analysis, the Army selected the new internal frame system as a replacement for the external framed All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment system.

The individual load carrying equipment (ILCE) is intended for use in hot, temperate, and cold-wet regions of the world. It is not for use in cold-dry arctic regions.

Components of the Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment are similar in design to components of the standard M1956 individual load-carrying equipment.Because nylon materials and aluminium hardware are lightweight, they are used where possible in lieu of cotton materials and brass or steel hardware.The nylon materials are water resistant, retain less moisture and dry faster.

The Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) was designed to replace the All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) and Integrated Individual Fighting System (IIFS) including the Enhanced Tactical Load-Bearing Vest.

Based on user feedback on the original system, the MOLLE requirements were modified to eliminate the need for a quick-release frame that integrates into the load bearing vest (LBV).The change allowed developers to replace the probe and socket mechanism, which caused problems in donning for some soldiers and Marines, to a quick-release mechanism for a more traditional permanently-mounted waist belt on the frame.