Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System
The Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (GEN III ECWCS) was designed to be functional in multiple cold weather climates and activities. It consists of a versatile, multi-layered insulating system that allows the Soldier to adapt to varying mission requirements and environmental conditions.
Components
Based on layering systems currently utilized by mountaineering professionals, the Generation III ECWCS incorporates seven new levels of insulation. It is composed of twelve garments.
System Overview by PEO Soldier, by ADS- Level I
- Lightweight undershirt and drawers
- Level II
- Midweight shirt and drawers
- Level III
- Fleece jacket
- Level IV
- Wind jacket
- Level V
- Soft shell jacket and trousers
- Level VI
- Extreme cold/wet weather jacket and trousers
- Level VII
- Extreme cold weather parka and trousers
Configurations
Clothing combinations shown below represent both recommended and optional configurations.
| Activity | Temperature | Items | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | L2 | L3 | L4 | L5 | L6 | L7 | |||
| Active | Extreme Cold: -25°F to 0°F | Top | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Bottom | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Cold: 0°F to 30°F | Top | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Bottom | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Wet/Intermittent Wet: 40±10°F | Top | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Bottom | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Cold/Wet: 35°F to 45°F | Top | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Bottom | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Static | Extreme Cold: -50°F to 0°F | Top | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Bottom | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Cold: 0°F to 30°F | Top | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Bottom | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Cold/Wet: 30°F to 45°F | Top | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Bottom | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Wet: Above 45°F | Top | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Bottom | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
TM 10-8415-236-10. 2008. pages 0004-2 through 0004-9.
Instruction
- TM 10-8415-236-10 Operator's Manual for Extended Cold Weather Clothing System Generation III
- ATTP 3-97.11 Cold Region Operations. Chapter 3, Appendix A.
Similar System
References
- http://peosoldier.armylive.dodlive.mil/2011/11/15/equipment-piece-of-the-week-generation-iii-extended-cold-weather-clothing-system-gen-iii-ecwcs/
- http://www.army.mil/-news/2006/12/15/996-excitement-heating-up-over-new-extended-cold-weather-gear/
- http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/04/10/8407-cold-weather-clothing-system-increases-survivability-comfort/
- Gen III ECWCS factsheet @PEO Soldier [2006][2008][May 2009][October 2009][October 2010]
- https://peosoldier.army.mil/newpeo/Equipment/DisplayXMLTable.asp?id=38
- https://peosoldier.army.mil/docs/ECWCSInfantryMagOct08.pdf
- http://www.adsinc.com/gen-iii
- http://polartec.com/markets/military/extended-cold-weather-clothing-system-gen-iii.aspx
- http://polartec.com/uploads/pdfs/POL_Mil_ECWCS_G3.pdf
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a5ZChRJ6r0
- https://textiles.milliken.com/solutions/weather-protection
