Scalable Plate Carrier

The Scalable Plate Carrier is a plate carrier used by the U.S. Marine Corps as an alternative to the heavier Modular Tactical Vest.

Design
It is a lightweight plate carrier intended to supplement the Modular Tactical Vest. The vest has shoulder buckles on the back of the vest, a feature added for ease of adjustments. It has improved padding in the shoulder area. It is modeled after the Eagle Industries MBAV, and has staggered webbing on the chest.

First-generation
The SPC was fielded to combat units operating in the War in Afghanistan in 2008 as a lightweight alternative to the MTV, where it has proved popular due to the regions mountainous terrain. Marines now typically deploy with both the MTV and SPC, with commanders setting the requirements for which vest should be worn based on threat levels.

The Scalable Plate Carrier was analyzed for the U.S. Army's Soldier Plate Carrier System demonstration.

Improved Scalable Plate Carrier
The Improved Scalable Plate Carrier (ISPC) didn't get many modifications.

Its fielding will be delayed until summer after the completion of another round of user evaluations ordered by MARCORSYSCOM. The Marine Corps plans on fielding 108,000.