Wilcox BOSS Xe

PASGT Helmet and Armor Vest Testing

This circa-1978 US Army photo depicts a Soldier conducting a wear test of the developmental Personal Armor System, Ground Troops Helmet and Armor Vest, as they interact with use of the M202 FLASH system. PASGT was the first American use of Aramid (Kevlar) for an issue ground helmet. The helmet also offered a greater area of protection of the head resulting it briefly being referred to as the “Fritz” helmet due to its similar shape to the WWII German helmet.

As you can see, the Soldier is wearing OG-507 fatigues, although the Helmet features a camouflaged outer layer. The original concept was to just integrate the Camo pattern and forego cloth covers. This concept was abandoned due shine. Additionally, the print could wear off and the cloth cover better protected the Helmet’s Aramid material.

8 Responses to “PASGT Helmet and Armor Vest Testing”

  1. Patrulje68 says:

    I want the M202 flash he has.

  2. Che Guevara's Open Chest Wound says:

    What an interesting photo! It’s like a palimpsest of the 20th century Army: “modern” helmet, 1960s-70s OD green uniform, and WWII barracks in the background.

    • Bill says:

      Strange time to be in the army.

      20 round mag pouches and cotton LBE a were still being issued in basic. Money was tight. Many soldiers coveted the older cotton fatigued and made repair after repair to keep them serviceable. Colder weather gear was Korean War era or earlier.

      Always used the steel pot up to 1982, never saw the new helmet.

  3. Dev says:

    This should’ve what it should be eh, camouflage PPE and pouches but solid coloured uniforms.

    By the way what happened to the Gunfighter Moment articles?

  4. Rayforest9 says:

    I’ve got one of those experimental marked PASGT vests. It’s in a camo that’s a cross between woodland and ERDL.

  5. Stefa S. says:

    Damn that helmet hurt. Wear that thing for longer than 30 minutes and you had the retention straps indentations in your skull. Not to mention that smell of the adhesives.

  6. Michael W. says:

    Could swear that’s FT Chaffee in the background. But they do all look the same.