Army to Search for New Extreme Weather Gear - Kit Up!: U.S. Army equipment officials are ramping up their extreme-weather testing to update the service’s cold and hot weather gear.
Since the early 2000s, the Army has been focused primarily on the Middle East, gearing all equipment needs toward operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now it’s much more likely that soldiers will find themselves fighting in jungle and cold-weather environments, equipment officials maintain.
Earlier this week, the Army put out a call to industry for a new style Jungle Combat Boot in an effort to equip two infantry brigade combat teams by late next year.
The Army is also trying to update its selection of cold-weather boots and gloves.
Several years ago, the service approved the Gen III Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System, or ECWCS. The seven-level system offers options from base layers to an extreme cold jacket and pants featuring man-made high loft insulation. The system is designed to go down to minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
