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Enhanced Combat Helmet to Be Fielded in Fall
ASDNews ^ | 2/7/2011 | U.S. Army

Posted on 02/07/2011 9:18:02 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld

The Army is looking at an improved combat helmet that surpasses the capabilities of what Soldiers are currently wearing in the field, and it may be available in the fall.

The new Enhanced Combat Helmet doesn't look much different than the Advanced Combat Helmet it's designed to replace, but the performance difference is huge, said Col. William Cole, project manager, Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment.

"If you hold them in your hand, you'd have a tough time telling the difference, other than the relative thickness," Cole said during a media roundtable Feb. 2 in the Pentagon. "The ECH is a little bit thicker, also about an ounce to four ounces lighter depending on the size. But it's really a huge leap ahead forward in terms of head protection capability.

(Excerpt) Read more at asdnews.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: combathelmet; gi; procurement; usarmy; usarmycombathelmet; usmc

1 posted on 02/07/2011 9:18:08 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: ErnstStavroBlofeld

May God be with them!


2 posted on 02/07/2011 9:32:26 PM PST by elephantlips
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To: ErnstStavroBlofeld

except to females who will wear hijab in combat.

/s


3 posted on 02/07/2011 9:45:45 PM PST by GeronL (http://www.stink-eye.net/forum/index.php for FR backup site!)
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To: jazusamo; Girlene; 4woodenboats; Grimmy; xzins; smoothsailing; lilycicero; bigheadfred; ...

(( ping ))


4 posted on 02/07/2011 9:47:43 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard

Nice. 8D


5 posted on 02/07/2011 10:10:50 PM PST by amom (Proud Blue Star Mom of a deployed US Army tanker)
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To: ErnstStavroBlofeld

The previous-generation Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) — currently in use by most U.S. combat troops — is made primarily of Kevlar and phenolic resin. The ECH will be the first to incorporate thermoplastic resin in its construction. Military sources tell HPC that the ECH comprises a carbon-fiber inner cage overmolded with a preform made from Spectra ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), supplied by helmet development partner Honeywell Advanced Fibers and Composites (Colonial Heights, Va.).

“The ECH involves a change in materials, a change in the manufacturing process and a change in the specifications,” says Honeywell’s armor industry technical leader Lori Wagner. While the UHMWPE outer hemisphere imparts the energy-absorbing antiballistic behavior, the carbon inner cage is designed to resist deformation, offering better local-impact protection for the wearer. The design reportedly results in a 10 percent improvement in ballistic protection while reducing helmet weight.

The military is expected to issue production contracts to several manufacturers. The helmet will be made using an out-of-autoclave, automated compression-style press. Automation is expected to reduce the cost of making the ECH by 10 to 15 percent compared to the ACH.


6 posted on 02/07/2011 10:39:09 PM PST by smokingfrog ( BORN free - taxed to DEATH (and beyond) ...)
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To: smokingfrog

I did not know that. This new helmet will save a lot of lives.


7 posted on 02/07/2011 10:41:14 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: smokingfrog

I am still waiting for the Terminator style helmets that has a HUD display eyepiece


8 posted on 02/07/2011 10:46:04 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: elephantlips

Same here.


9 posted on 02/07/2011 10:46:37 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: smokingfrog

Thanks for the added info.


10 posted on 02/07/2011 10:49:28 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard
"It potentially could mitigate some traumatic brain injuries -- we're seeing it has great potential," said Brig. Gen. Peter N. Fuller, the Program Executive Officer Soldier. "We're trying to work through getting that product accelerated."

Dear Lord, please grant our prayers that General Fuller's request for better helmets for our Defenders is expedited.

11 posted on 02/07/2011 10:49:47 PM PST by 4woodenboats
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To: ErnstStavroBlofeld

Doesn’t the HALO Master Chief have a helmet with HUD?


12 posted on 02/07/2011 11:00:52 PM PST by smokingfrog ( BORN free - taxed to DEATH (and beyond) ...)
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To: smokingfrog

I am not sure. I never played HALO but always wanted to.


13 posted on 02/07/2011 11:02:01 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: smokingfrog; ErnstStavroBlofeld
Thanks for the additional info.
Two follow-up questions:

Will/Is this new helmet technology be applicable to motorcycle/car racing helmets?
And:
Can ya cook in it?
(flash-back to old school helmet soup over a c-4 fire)
14 posted on 02/07/2011 11:29:04 PM PST by Tainan (Cogito Ergo Conservitus.)
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To: ErnstStavroBlofeld

Excellent...


15 posted on 02/07/2011 11:30:33 PM PST by DoughtyOne (All hail the Kenyan Prince Obama, Lord of the Skid-mark, constantly soiling himself and our nation.)
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To: Tainan

My question: When will the technology for these improved helmets be given/sold to our enemies as have so many of our previous advances?


16 posted on 02/08/2011 3:05:01 AM PST by luvbach1 (Stop Barry now. He can't help himself.)
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To: GeronL

Kevlar hijabs? Carbon fiber turbans?


17 posted on 02/08/2011 3:56:59 AM PST by Humble Servant
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To: Lancey Howard

Excellent. Thanks for the info, Lancey.


18 posted on 02/08/2011 4:07:30 AM PST by Girlene
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To: smokingfrog
Doesn’t the HALO Master Chief have a helmet with HUD?

Yes, but the ODST HUD seems more effective - lol!

19 posted on 02/08/2011 4:46:11 AM PST by Caipirabob ( Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: Lancey Howard; ErnstStavroBlofeld; smokingfrog

Excellent news! Thanks for the ping, Lancey.

Good info posted by all, thanks.


20 posted on 02/08/2011 9:07:39 AM PST by jazusamo (His [Obama's] political base---the young, the left and the thoughtless: Thomas Sowell)
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