Marine Corps Plate Carrier Generation III

Sunday October 20th, 2024 admin Post GWOT, Ballistic Protective 2,540 views

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —

The Marine Corps has begun fielding a next-generation protective vest that provides improved fit, form and function for Marines.

The Plate Carrier Generation III is a lightweight plate carrying system that guards against bullets and fragmentation when coupled with protective plates.

“This system protects Marines on the battlefield,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Konicki, the Program Manager for Infantry Combat Equipment at Marine Corps Systems Command. “The PC Gen. III is important because it is nearly 25-percent lighter than the legacy technology.”

The Marine Corps constantly looks for ways to lighten the load for Marines. PM ICE worked with industry to remove excess bulk from the legacy Plate Carrier, which was fielded in 2011. The elimination of excess material reduces the overall weight of the system and increases maneuverability, said Konicki.

“When you lighten the load, Marines can get to their destinations faster and they’re going to have more endurance, which increases their lethality,” said Konicki.

In 2016, MCSC conducted a study to analyze the components and effectiveness of a prototype version of the PC Gen. III. Marines tested both the legacy and prototype systems during various obstacle courses, including a 15-kilometer hike at a fixed pace.

The results of the study showed that participants completed the courses faster and appeared better  conditioned when using the newer technology. Marines’ mobility and ability to handle a weapon improved when using the PC Gen. III prototype, said Konicki.

“The PC Gen. III improves the Marines’ ability to shoot and move by eliminating excess bulk from the design, and cutting out the shoulders for a better rifle stock weld,” added Lt. Col. Bryan Leahy, Individual Armor Team lead in PM ICE.

Fits men and women

Another advantage of the PC Gen. III lies in its fit. MCSC increased the variation of sizes, enabling nearly 15,000 more Marines—both male and female—to fit into the system when compared with the legacy technology, said Konicki. The newer system fits closer to the body, increasing protection and decreasing the risk of injury due to improper fit.

The next-generation system is designed to fit individuals of all sizes and statures—from the 2nd percentile female Marine to the 98th percentile male Marine. A curvature in the associated protective plates accommodates chest and abdomen size without compromising protection.

“I think there’s a misconception that all females are small, and that’s not always true” said Konicki. “We conducted a study that found the smallest Marine is actually male.”

According to Konicki, during multiple user evaluations female Marines have said they prefer the newer technology to the legacy system because of its fit and mobility.

Infantry and infantry-like Marines will be the first to receive the PC Gen. III. The new vest body armor will then be fielded to supporting units. The program office expects the PC Gen III to reach Full Operational Capability by fiscal year 2023.

source: MARSYSCOM Official website

 

Stock Number Reference:

Plate Carrier, Generation III

Assign Date: 2018-08-23

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
X-Small Short 8470-01-675-1196 8470-01-675-1225
X-Small 8470-01-675-1190 8470-01-675-1208
Small Short 8470-01-675-1197 8470-01-675-1227
Small 8470-01-675-1191 8470-01-675-1213
Small Long 8470-01-675-1198 8470-01-675-1228
Medium 8470-01-675-1193 8470-01-675-1221
Large 8470-01-675-1194 8470-01-675-1217
X-Large 8470-01-675-1195 8470-01-675-1222

Components List

  • Load Bearing Panel
  • Outer Vest, Front
  • Outer Vest, Rear
  • Ballistic Insert Base Vest
  • Outer Cummerbund
  • Tube Adaptor
  • Inner Cummerbund
  • Soft Armor Cummerbund, Ballistic Insert
  • Soft Armor Cummerbund
  • Side Plate Pockets, Ballistic Insert
  • Side Plate Pocket
  • Harness
  • Rear Cummerbund Adaptor
  • Repair Kit Individual
Tactical Configuration

 

Low Profile Configuration

 

Load-Bearing Configuration

Components

Load Bearing Panel

Assign Date: 2018-04-24

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
X-Small Short 8415-01-672-1962 8415-01-672-2014
X-Small 8415-01-672-1964 8415-01-672-2017
Small Short 8415-01-672-1992 8415-01-672-2018
Small 8415-01-672-1993 8415-01-672-2027
Small Long 8415-01-672-2001 8415-01-672-2031
Medium 8415-01-672-2002 8415-01-672-2033
Large 8415-01-672-2003 8415-01-672-2036
X-Large 8415-01-672-2005 8415-01-672-2039
Load Bearing Panel, Coyote, Medium

Outer Vest, Front

Assign Date: 2018-04-23

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
X-Small Short 8470-01-672-1224 8470-01-672-1242
X-Small 8470-01-672-1227 8470-01-672-1243
Small Short 8470-01-672-1228 8470-01-672-1245
Small 8470-01-672-1231 8470-01-672-1246
Small Long 8470-01-672-1230 8470-01-672-1248
Medium 8470-01-672-1234 8470-01-672-1249
Large 8470-01-672-1235 8470-01-672-1250
X-Large 8470-01-672-1236 8470-01-672-1251
Outer Vest, Front, Coyote, Medium

 

Outer Vest, Rear

Assign Date: 2018-04-24

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
X-Small Short 8470-01-672-1755 8470-01-672-1776
X-Small 8470-01-672-1759 8470-01-672-1779
Small Short 8470-01-672-1760 8470-01-672-1780
Small 8470-01-672-1761 8470-01-672-1781
Small Long 8470-01-672-1763 8470-01-672-1782
Medium 8470-01-672-1764 8470-01-672-1783
Large 8470-01-672-1765 8470-01-672-1787
X-Large 8470-01-672-1766 8470-01-672-1785
Outer Vest, Rear, Coyote, Medium

 

Inner Vest, Front

Assign Date: 2018-04-25 (Class 1), 2018-04-26 (Class 3)

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
X-Small Short 8470-01-672-2243 8470-01-672-2608
X-Small 8470-01-672-2246 8470-01-672-2626
Small Short 8470-01-672-2247 8470-01-672-2627
Small 8470-01-672-2249 8470-01-672-2628
Small Long 8470-01-672-2271 8470-01-672-2634
Medium 8470-01-672-2273 8470-01-672-2659
Large 8470-01-672-2274 8470-01-672-2662
X-Large 8470-01-672-2275 8470-01-672-2663
Inner Vest, Front, Coyote, Medium

 

Inner Vest, Rear

Assign Date: 2018-04-27 (Class 1), 2018-04-30 (Class 3)

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
X-Small Short 8470-01-672-3236 8470-01-672-3686
X-Small 8470-01-672-3257 8470-01-672-3688
Small Short 8470-01-672-3265 8470-01-672-3692
Small 8470-01-672-3268 8470-01-672-3697
Small Long 8470-01-672-3274 8470-01-672-3693
Medium 8470-01-672-3270 8470-01-672-3694
Large 8470-01-672-3276 8470-01-672-3696
X-Large 8470-01-672-3278 8470-01-672-3697
Inner Vest, Rear, Coyote, Medium

 

Base Vest Inserts

Assign Date: 2018-05-03

Size-NSN Sheet
Size NSN
X-Small Short 8470-01-672-4630
X-Small 8470-01-672-4636
Small Short 8470-01-672-4637
Small 8470-01-672-4639
Small Long 8470-01-672-4640
Medium 8470-01-672-4643
Large 8470-01-672-4646
X-Large 8470-01-672-4645
Base Vest Inserts, Medium

 

Outer Cummerbund

Assign Date: 2018-04-19 (Class 1), 2018-04-30 (Class 3)

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
Small 8470-01-672-0455 8470-01-672-3710
Medium 8470-01-672-0530 8470-01-672-3711
Large 8470-01-672-0531 8470-01-672-3712
Outer Cummerbund, Coyote, Medium
Tactical Tube Adapters, Coyote

Inner Cummerbund

Assign Date: 2018-04-30 (Class 1), 2018-04-20 (Class 3)

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
Small 8470-01-672-3741 8470-01-672-0676
Medium  8470-01-672-3743 8470-01-672-0678
Large 8470-01-672-3744 8470-01-672-0679
Inner Cummerbund, Coyote, Medium

 

Soft Armor Cummerbund

Assign Date: 2018-05-01 (Class 1), 2018-04-20 (Class 3)

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
Small 8470-01-672-4053 8470-01-672-0698
Medium 8470-01-672-4055 8470-01-672-0700
Large 8470-01-672-4056 8470-01-672-0702

 

Cummerbund Insert

Assign Date: 2018-05-24

Size-NSN Sheet
Size NSN
Small 8470-01-672-9692
Medium 8470-01-672-9695
Large 8470-01-672-9696

 

Side Plate Pockets

Assign Date: 2018-05-25

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
6×6 8470-01-672-9933 8470-01-672-9935
6×8 8470-01-672-9934 8470-01-672-9936
Side Plate Pockets, Coyote, 6×8

 

Side Plate Pocket Insert

Assign Date: 2018-08-24

Size-NSN Sheet
Size NSN
6×6 8470-01-675-1487
6×8 8470-01-675-1491
Side Plate Pocket Insert, 6×8

 

Harness

Assign Date: 2018-05-03 (Class 1), 2018-06-05 (Class 3)

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
Small 8470-01-672-4669 8470-01-673-1688
Medium 8470-01-672-4672 8470-01-673-1689
Large 8470-01-672-6476 8470-01-673-1690
Harness, Coyote, Medium

 

Rear Cummerbund Adapter

Assign Date: 2018-05-02(Class 1), 2018-04-20 (Class 3)

Size-Color-NSN Sheet
Size Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
(One Size) 8470-01-672-4324 8470-01-672-0714
Rear Cummerbund Adapter, Coyote

 

Repair Kit

Assign Date: 2018-04-19

Type-Color-NSN Sheet
Type Class 1: Coyote Class 3: Black
Individual 8470-01-672-0391 8470-01-672-0395
Organizational 8470-01-672-0408 8470-01-672-0401
Repair Kit, Coyote, Individual

Item provided by G.I.’s friend.