Extended Climate Warfighter Clothing System
Encyclopedia
The Extended Climate Warfighter Clothing System, or Gen III ECWCS; ) is protective clothing created in the 1980s as an exclusively cold weather system by the United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts
, but has been radically redesigned to cover a broad range of combat climates. The first generation ECWCS consisted of parka
and trousers plus 20 other individual clothing, handwear
, headwear and footwear
items which are used in various combinations to meet the cold weather environmental requirements of the US military (and others). Now, the third generation, or Gen III ECWCS, has been developed to maintain adequate environmental protection in temperatures ranging between +40 and −60 Fahrenheit.
Levels of Protection
Initial fielding of the system began in August 2007 to the 73rd Cavalry Regiment
in Afghanistan.
Natick, Massachusetts
Natick is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. Natick is located near the center of the MetroWest region of Massachusetts, with a population of 33,006 at the 2010 census. Only west from Boston, Natick is considered part of the Greater Boston area...
, but has been radically redesigned to cover a broad range of combat climates. The first generation ECWCS consisted of parka
Anorak
An anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
and trousers plus 20 other individual clothing, handwear
Glove
A glove is a garment covering the hand. Gloves have separate sheaths or openings for each finger and the thumb; if there is an opening but no covering sheath for each finger they are called "fingerless gloves". Fingerless gloves with one large opening rather than individual openings for each...
, headwear and footwear
Footwear
Footwear consists of garments worn on the feet, for fashion, protection against the environment, and adornment. Being barefoot is commonly associated with poverty, but some cultures chose not to wear footwear at least in some situations....
items which are used in various combinations to meet the cold weather environmental requirements of the US military (and others). Now, the third generation, or Gen III ECWCS, has been developed to maintain adequate environmental protection in temperatures ranging between +40 and −60 Fahrenheit.
The System
The complete system features seven levels of protection to provide defense from environmental conditions. All garments are designed to enhance a soldier's ability to train and operate in many combat conditions.Levels of Protection
- Level I: Light-Weight Undershirt & Drawers
- Level II: Mid-Weight Shirt & Drawers
- Level III: High-Loft Fleece Jacket
- Level IV: Wind Jacket
- Level V: Soft Shell Cold Weather Jacket & Trousers
- Level VI: Extreme Wet/Cold Weather Jacket & Trousers
- Level VII: Extereme Cold Weather Parka & Trousers
Initial fielding of the system began in August 2007 to the 73rd Cavalry Regiment
73rd Cavalry Regiment (United States)
The 73rd Cavalry Regiment is a Cavalry Regiment in the U.S. Army first formed in 1941.-History:The 4 squadrons of the 73rd Cavalry Regiment provide reconnaissance, surveillance, & target acquisition to the Brigade Combat Teams of the 82nd Airborne Division...
in Afghanistan.