FSBE – an introduction

The development of the USMC Full Spectrum Battle Equipment (FSBE) I was driven by a specific tragedy and the need for more versatile, maritime-optimized gear for special operations units.

The FSBE I (Full Spectrum Battle Equipment) was specifically engineered to address the fatal flaws identified during the December 9, 1999, CH-46E Sea Knight crash off the coast of Point Loma, San Diego.

A CH-46E helicopter from the 15th MEU(SOC) was conducting a fast-rope training exercise on the USNS Pecos. The helicopter's left rear landing gear became entangled in the ship’s safety netting, causing it to flip and sink within 40 seconds into 3,600 feet of water. 7 personnel (6 Marines from 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and 1 Navy Corpsman) died, primarily due to drowning.
Marines were heavily weighed down by armor and gear that lacked a quick-release mechanism, making it impossible to shed the equipment while underwater and disoriented.

In direct response to this disaster, the Marine Corps developed the FSBE I kit with several life-saving features:

An "interim" version of the FSBE was issued in 2000 to rapidly replace the older Close Quarters Battle Equipment (CQBE) Assault Vest System, which lacked emergency release features.The finalized FSBE I system was widely fielded to specialized units like Force Recon, FAST Companies, and MEU (SOC) Helicopter Assault Companies by 2001-2004.

Core Requirements

The Marine Corps Systems Command sought a system that integrated three critical capabilities into one package:

• Single-Point Release: A mechanism allowing a Marine to ditch the entire vest with one pull in an emergency.
• Single-Point Quick Release: The Amphibious Assault Vest (AAV) was the first widely issued vest to feature a single-pull cable that immediately detached the entire carrier, allowing a Marine to escape from a submerged aircraft or sinking gear.

• Enhanced Flotation / Integrated Flotation: Buoyancy inserts to keep a Marine afloat, even with heavy armor plates.
• Integrated LPU-34/P flotation devices were added to ensure that once a Marine escaped the aircraft, they would remain buoyant even with a full combat load.

• Emergency Breathing: Integration of devices like the Helicopter Assault Breathing Device (HABD) for underwater survival.
• Emergency Air: The kit officially incorporated the HABD (Helicopter Air Breathing Device), providing roughly 2 minutes of air to prevent panic during the initial moments of submersion.

Key Developers and Manufacturers

Point Blank Armor: The primary manufacturer of the main FSBE Amphibious Assault Vest (AAV) bodies.

The Resource Center (TRC): Acted as the system integrator, producing kit bags, ballistic filler panels, and specific components like the Maritime Ballistic Survival System (MBSS).

Eagle Industries: Developed and manufactured the vast majority of the load-bearing pouches (magazine, radio, and utility pouches) in the iconic Coyote Brown color associated with the system.


This tragedy also led to the standardization of the Helo Dunker (MAET) training for all Marines likely to fly over water.


The system eventually evolved into FSBE II, which shifted toward the Eagle Industries CIRAS (Combat Integrated Releasable Armor System) to standardize with other SOF units using SPEAR/BALCS cut armor.