Advanced Combat Helmet
The Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) is the United States Army's current combat helmet. It was developed by the United States Army Soldier Systems Center to be the next generation of protective combat helmets for use by the U.S. Army.[1] The ACH is derived from the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet.
History
The Advanced Combat Helmet was fielded in 2003 by PEO Soldier to replace the PASGT helmet.[2]
In 2007 the Army introduced a ballistic "nape pad" that attaches to the ACH's rear suspension system. 430,000 were to be issued in the Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI).[3]
Beginning in 2008, the Army's Program Executive Office Soldier outfitted soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division and 4th Infantry Division bound for Iraq with helmet-mounted sensors designed to gather data on head injuries caused during Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonations. The data collected will help with the design of improvements to the MICH's suspension and chin strap systems.[4]
In 2006, 102,000 helmets were ordered from ArmorSource, of which 99,000 were delivered when the contract was fulfilled and properly closed. In May 2009, 55,000 of these were in storage and 44,000 were in use U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel. The 44,000 helmets in use by service members were recalled by the U.S. Army in May 2010 due to potentially defective materials being used. No proof of defective materials was ever established nor evidence of any wrongdoing by the contractor.[2]
In May 2009, 34,218 ACHs made by the Gentex Corporation were recalled. Certain screws attaching the chinstrap and other parts to the helmet did not conform to specifications in the contract. The screws failed ballistics tests at extreme temperatures. Gentex alleges its subcontractor had fabricated compliance certificates for the screws.[2]
A MultiCam cover for the Advanced Combat Helmet began fielding in late 2009 for soldiers deployed in Afghanistan.[5]
The ACH and Lightweight Helmets will eventually be replaced by the Enhanced Combat Helmet.
Design
The ACH uses ballistic fiber such as Kevlar and Twaron.[6]
In 2007 the Army developed and introduced a ballistic "nape pad" that attaches to the ACH's rear suspension system and coincided with the introduction of the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV). The pad reduces soldier deaths from shrapnel wounds to the neck and lower head.[3][7]
The Generation II Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet, or LW ACH, weighs one pound less than the original ACH while offering the same ballistic protection.[8]
Users
United States
Denmark, for special purposes
New Zealand
Australia
Ukraine
Chile
Belgium
Finland
Georgia
Latvia
Lithuania
Estonia
Poland , for special purposes (JW GROM, JWK)
See also
- Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops Helmet
- OR-201
- Army Combat Uniform
- SPECTRA helmet
- Interceptor body armor
- Lightweight Helmet
- Kevlar
- Mk. 7 Helmet—current helmet used by the British Armed forces
- MICH 2001
References
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- Combat helmet continues to evolve, step by step
- Advanced Combat Helmet—GlobalSecurity.org
- Advanced helmets—BodyArmorNews.com
- MICH and ACH—Olivedrab.com
- US Military Taking Delivery of Advanced Combat Helmets—Defense Industry Daily
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Army.mil - Helmet Sensors, Improved Armor Helping Soldier Survivability
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ Stars and Stripes - Army Adding Neck Pad to Body Armor
- ↑ Army Vice Chief Focused on Lighter Soldier Kit - Kitup.Military.com, 29 June 2015
