[greentick]

.....
The payload hasn’t gotten any lighter. The new LBV (equivalent) is lighter, but is offset and overtaken by the increased weight of armor, NOD/thermal and comm load. Everything they use now takes a battery, and while battery tech has grown exponentially, they’re still heavy. Heavy enough and in quantity enough to offset everything else. ....

The old "a bigger, lightweight ruck to carry more lightweight gear!"

It's always some beancounter in an air conditioned, carpeted office somewhere that has the grunt's best interest in mind.

Great reading here: