HEBRON, Ohio, Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — ArmorSource LLC (ArmorSource) announced that it has successfully completed First Article Testing (FAT) for the U.S. Army Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet (LW-ACH), with deliveries set for spring 2016. The LW-ACH is the latest result of cooperation between industry and the Department of Defense (DoD) to best serve the men and women of our Armed Forces. By reducing the weight of the current Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) by four ounces, the LW-ACH provides superior protection while alleviating the extreme weight burden soldiers must sustain on their head and neck.
“The LW-ACH FAT was challenging. It presented extensive and evolved ballistic test protocols,” said Yoav Kapah, ArmorSource CEO. “But the vigorous process assures the Army and the soldiers that the helmet delivers improved and enhanced protection. ArmorSource’s progressive R&D, engineering and production readiness capabilities are fully engaged to begin supporting the U.S, military with a lighter and more robust combat helmet. And we are very proud to do so.”
The ArmorSource LW-ACH, model ‘AS-505’, provides protection against multiple projectile and fragmentation threats, back-face deformation, and blunt and shock impact resistance. Though the testing protocol of the LW-ACH is much more rigorous than that of the legacy ACH, ArmorSource’s successful completion of FAT testing confirms that improved ballistic protection can and does simultaneously deliver a 10 percent weight reduction. The weight of the LW-ACH (size large) is now 3 lbs., compared to 3.3 lbs. in the ACH.
ArmorSource is currently the only vendor with an approved FAT authorization for the LW-ACH with production underway to deliver 105,000 helmets to the U.S. Army throughout 2016.
Tags: Armor Source
Wait, is this part of the ECH program or is it a separate thing?
Sort of. Army took the technology for ECH and used it in an ACH level helmet offering lighter weight.