Enhanced Combat Helmet?

[flanker7]

http://www.army-technology.com/news/news63210.html

First time I hear about it

[dave81]

It's on the cover of this week's Army Times, but it probably won't be in the online version until next week.

http://www.armytimes.com

[AC434]

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htinf/articles/20090901.aspx (http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htinf/articles/20090901.aspx)



The Enhanced Combat Helmet

September 1, 2009: The U.S Army and Marine Corps is set to receive a new combat helmet featuring the same general profile as the ACH (advanced combat helmet), but providing significantly better protection. In fact, it will possess the ability to defeat rifle rounds, long the bane of helmet manufacturers.
Named the Enhanced Combat Helmet, or ECH, the helmets salient feature is the material with which it’s made. Not the typical Kevlar or Twaron aramid fibers in use since the 1980’s, but Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, a form of advanced thermoplastic offering superior properties to aramids and used in everything from hip replacements to body armor.
Congresshttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htinf/articles/20090901.aspx#) allocated $10.6 million for the program which states that a new helmet must be capable of providing at least 35 percent more protection against small arms and explosions. Increases such as these will prevent penetration by some rifle rounds, as confirmed by Army officials. Testing begins next month on prototypes submitted by four companies, Ceradyne, BAE Systemshttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htinf/articles/20090901.aspx#) Aerospace and Defense Group Inc., Mine Safety Appliances Co. and Gentex Corp. Ceradyne stated if their product is chosen they can provide up to 246,840 helmets over the next two years.
The Marine Corps initiated the ECH program in 2007, when industries presented new kinds of ballistic materials. Marine commanders then sped up the program urging the need for better protection for his Marines as soon as possible.
Army officials indicated they want 200,000 units for combat brigades, but eventually plan to issue the helmet service wide. They intend to keep the same suspension system and padding of the current ACH, while the Marine Corps plans to study the issue further and issue new suspensions and padding for current helmets before the first new ECH shells are completed. -- Mike Perry

[Skutatos]

Sounds almost too good to be true. I hope it works as well as advertised. Also...will there be an increase in weight?

[flanker7]

This, being true, will save a lot of lives. Let's hope

[ayanami_tard]

india did claim that their sikh helmet can stop AK-47 bullet

need indian forummer to give some more insight about this

[JVeld]

I hear about these last week and read it in the Army paper as well.........interesting, cant wait to see it, many changes now in days, we just got issued Multi Cam since we are heading to Afghanistan too and a few new toys....

[flanker7]

So the multicam rumor is true?

Anyway, on topic. With all the advances on body armor in general, the puplic demands 0(zero) losses which is not possible. You sent your troops to war, expect some of those men and women to die...
This, is bloated by the media which puts a lot of pressure on the commanders, which is not a good thing IMO

[Britishhawk]

Is this similar to the Aus ECH helmet?

[Hispeed1]

I hear about these last week and read it in the Army paper as well.........interesting, cant wait to see it, many changes now in days, we just got issued Multi Cam since we are heading to Afghanistan too and a few new toys....

Nice......

[OMON]

curious to hear more about it

[JJC]

india did claim that their sikh helmet can stop AK-47 bullet
I noticed that helmets made out of titanium claim to stop rifle rounds. This advanced plastics material if it stops rifle rounds reads better than ceramic plate material.

[click]

I hear about these last week and read it in the Army paper as well.........interesting, cant wait to see it, many changes now in days, we just got issued Multi Cam since we are heading to Afghanistan too and a few new toys....

Wait, you were actlly issued MC or are you just allowed to use it?

[cone256]

The 86th IBCT (Mountain) of the Vermont ARNG is deploying to Afghanistan here pretty soon, rumor is we are getting MC as well. Believe it when I see it though

[Skutatos]

OMFG MULTICAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!>>>!!!!!!!1111

Let the geardo nerdgasming commence.

[vajt]

Any pictures of the ECH?

-----JT-----

[Kap]

OMFG MULTICAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!>>>!!!!!!!1111

Let the geardo nerdgasming commence.

Please don't say that!

[546]

Is this similar to the Aus ECH helmet?
http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/gallery/794/headgear02.jpg
This is the Aus ECH and it was adopted by Australia back in 2004.
Don't know if it's the same as what you are referring to, but here's a link for further info...
http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/news/3859/

[Bohemoth]

Any pictures of the ECH?

-----JT-----
Yes, and more details too:

GENTEX Awarded $1.8 Million Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) Contract by U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM)
More: http://gentexcorp.com/default.aspx?pageid=2394

Photo 1/1 (Courtesy Gentex (R)):
http://gentexcorp.com/assets/gentex/ForceProtection/ECH.jpg

[Universal_Soldier]

very Very good investment considering the amount of money involved.

[click]

U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM)


Is it just me, or are the name shortenings getting longer and simply more confusing than the actual name/title itself?

Helmet looks ace bythe way

[Skutatos]

That link about the gentex helmet says it will maintain the current weight, that is good news.

[Tourist]

Being an old fart I have experience of the Military Procurement Process. Firstly, a need is identified. The designs and specs are pulled together by clever people with PhD's. A small number of the item are built in ideal conditions using perfect materials.........so that politicians and senior officers can stroke them at a cocktail party. Shortly before the cocktail party a demonstration of the item is given, normally in ideal controlled conditions. Then when the man that signs the cheque is happy contracts are awarded ....................... normally to the company that offers to produce the item for the cheapest possible price.

[flanker7]

The Gentex link says nothing abot stopping bullet though...

[Guam_Guy]

I noticed that helmets made out of titanium claim to stop rifle rounds. This advanced plastics material if it stops rifle rounds reads better than ceramic plate material.

Why don't they use that new material to make better plates then? Or is there still truth to that Xsapi thing.

[OMON]

Why don't they use that new material to make better plates then? Or is there still truth to that Xsapi thing.

because its all politics, like the most stuff goes with american wars, for example, one company supported Bush with a few millions, and as return he supplies the army in iraq with plastic trow a way dinnerplates. ( $10 each!! )

so even if you have the best stuff, if you are not a friend, you can shake it

[crazyman]

As far as I know its identical to the Aussie helmet. If the thing can stop a 7.60x39, I am all for it. I just with the army would order a helmet that could be worn with a headset a bit better. Wearing a peltor headset and an ACH is doable, but not the most comfortable solution ever for smaller soldiers. Guys my size are ok, but some smaller dudes have issues

[dangerdan87]

Well, I bet the Marines wont even get that helmet until 2015.

Unless your an officer....

[crazyman]

If I remember right the marines were actually into this helmet before the army was. Either way its an existing technology, so once the trials are over, the procurement part should not be overly painful (unless the army makes it so).

[AIRBORNEJOCK]

As far as I know its identical to the Aussie helmet. If the thing can stop a 7.60x39, I am all for it. I just with the army would order a helmet that could be worn with a headset a bit better. Wearing a peltor headset and an ACH is doable, but not the most comfortable solution ever for smaller soldiers. Guys my size are ok, but some smaller dudes have issues


the aussie kelmets got a 3 point chinstrap not 4 point

[mcantu]

the Austrailian ECH is basically their version of the US ACH. nothing to do stopping rifle rounds...

[ktk.ace]

ZOMG aqua plastics!!

[James]

Then when the man that signs the cheque is happy contracts are awarded ....................... normally to the company that offers to produce the item for the cheapest possible price.

It's not the cheapest bid that wins a contract, it's the cheapest bid that is able to provide a piece of equipment that meets the standard. It's not like the troops are getting plastic airsoft helmets... What would you do? Spend more money for the exact same piece of gear? :roll:

[DaReFaItH]

+1 the Aussie ECH is 3 point, not 4. at the centre back of the helmet, there is a rectangular shaped metal ring which joins both sides of the chinstrap. the ECH is pretty much the same dimensions as the MICH, but with a harness suspension system instead of gel pads. ballistic qualities is somewhere around the NIJ IIIA so not too exciting