US Helicopter Gunner Helmet

[Resurrection]

I saw an American helicopter gunner (I think?) on the news this morning in Pakistan helping out with the relief operations there being surrounded by children while handing out what looked to be like candy. He had this helmet on him which I thought looked freakin awesome even though it reminded me a bit about Star Wars :-P. This is the helmet I'm talking about:

http://in.yimg.com/xp/*******_ids_new/20050126/4161003553.jpg


So my question is what's the name of this helmet?

[Beer Monster]

HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmet (Gentex Systems) with Maxillofacial Shield. See here (http://www.gentexcorp.com/HelmetSystems/HGU56p.htm) for more info.

http://www.gentexcorp.com/Images/MFS.jpg

[TheCure]

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/7870/mercy6b6pb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

-TheCure

[Batfink]

They look like the pilots in the TIE Fighters!!!
http://i22.ac.tpe.yahoo.com/users/8/5/3/0/joulei2002-img396x435-1098620449tie_fighter_pilot-7.jpg

[Zorro C9]

I'd like to get one of these as a treat to myself when I get my pilot's licence. Which won't be happening any time soon.

[moonmonkey]

I just love the pictures of the visor of the helmet refleting the country below it

[DeWHeid]

HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmet (Gentex Systems) with Maxillofacial Shield. See here (http://www.gentexcorp.com/HelmetSystems/HGU56p.htm) for more info.

http://www.gentexcorp.com/Images/MFS.jpg
The mask is used to protect them from crashes. It was origanlly for pilots for direct impact crashes but now they are used for the whole crew. I guess they finally realized the gunner has value too.

[FozzieBear]

The mask is used to protect them from crashes. It was origanlly for pilots for direct impact crashes but now they are used for the whole crew. I guess they finally realized the gunner has value too.it actually says these face shields are used to protect against rotorwash and to get a clearer reading when speaking into the mic...

[Digital Marine]

That looks badass

[Silent 6]

I wonder if something like this could be utilized by ground troops to reduce the facial injuries that are coming out of OEF and OIF?

Granted you breath heavy when you run...and fogging of glasses/goggles could become an issue...but one would think something could be done to reduce the trauma to the face.

[Digital Marine]

I wonder if something like this could be utilized by ground troops to reduce the facial injuries that are coming out of OEF and OIF?

Granted you breath heavy when you run...and fogging of glasses/goggles could become an issue...but one would think something could be done to reduce the trauma to the face.

I think the extra heat and weight will only slow down the already packed soldier

[TuNeRsHaRk]

Maybe if the thing had an air conditioner in it it would be nice to wear on the ground, plus the thing probably weighs 5 pounds

[Uncle Sam]

I wonder if something like this could be utilized by ground troops to reduce the facial injuries that are coming out of OEF and OIF?

Granted you breath heavy when you run...and fogging of glasses/goggles could become an issue...but one would think something could be done to reduce the trauma to the face.

Unfortunately for the grunt...It's a catch-22. They need protection, but it has to be somewhat light, easy to use, comfortable...etc...The more you pack on, the more ineffective they become.

That's why you see and hear about Soldiers coming back wounded, not dead, with arms and legs missing. The body armor is working, but you can't armor the entire body...It's just not feasible.

[Solidox]

The mask is used to protect them from crashes. It was origanlly for pilots for direct impact crashes but now they are used for the whole crew. I guess they finally realized the gunner has value too.


it actually says these face shields are used to protect against rotorwash and to get a clearer reading when speaking into the mic...

they are also used mainly to keep the brass and stuff from flying back into the crews face, its a durable little piece of kevlar....

[Deep6]

Infantry face shields (mandibles) can be made quite light and provide good ventilation, however, it is somewhat difficult to cheek a weapon with them.

http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/2387/scorpion013zd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/4135/scorpion027wd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/1236/scorpion030hw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/3804/scorpion041of.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/2940/scorpionofw8bw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Batfink]

Yes Masterchief!
http://www.mikesjournal.com/Halo%202%20Master%20Chief.jpghttp://img472.imageshack.us/img472/332/masterchief3gq.jpg

[mohawkALSE]

The 56/P helmet is badass looking in general. Has that Darth Vader look. Asside from the MFS attachment, a special cowling device may be installed to a MBU-12/P oxygen mask and used with the 56/P helmet if recivers are installed. Its a very modular helmet, other items include a Cobra Helmet Sighting System for the now retired Army AH-1F and even and Electro-Optical Helmet Sight with Helmet Display Unit from the Apache IHADSS helmet.

[larryzou]

is cool photo for us air force pilot. thinks.