S&S Precision has introduced a version of their Max Mount to fit the Team Wendy rail. The gimbaled design allows you to focus the helmet mounted light where you need it. It fits the CR123 battery in the body and accepts any 3v SureFire head and tail cap.
The Close Combat Lethality Task Force recently held a Tech Day at the Pentagon. A wide variety of equipment was on hand. U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center researchers displayed a next generation helmet called the ACH Gen II: UHMWPE.
US Army photo by C. Todd Lopez
Essentially, it’s based on the second generation Army Combat Helmet, except that they’ve improved how the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) used in the helmet is processed during molding. The ACH Gen II already offered a 22% weight reduction over the original ACH but can only stand up to 9mm and Frag threats.
The ACH Gen II: UHMWPE weighs 2.5 pounds for the shell, and an estimated 3.5 pounds final weight, but provides the same level of protection as the Integrated Head Protection System, which has just begun fielding. However, it does so without having to add a ballistic appliqué for rifle rounds like IHPS. Consider that an IHPS weighs about 5 lbs with the appliqué fitted. For a rifle threat-level Helmet, that’s a significant improvement.
Natick continues to develop Helmet technologies with a goal of offering rifle level protection in the weight of current Frag protection (ACH).
Schuberth manufactures motorcycle, police and military helmets. Consequently, they often share technologies across the three different types of helmets. With how riots are dealt with becoming more prominent in society, Schuberth has introduced the HMK 150 which combines their P100N Riot Helmet with an Avon C50 respirator. It is manufactured to meet the strict standards of the 2011 General Technical Guidelines for Police Engineering.
Schuberth developed an exoskeleton for the respirator so that the soft rubber would move with the helmet and not break a seal when the wearer moved his head. The shell and mask are offered in three different sizes.
You’ll notice quite a few technologies from the motorcycle business like the energy absorbing EPS foam liner, which is offered in 11 different sizes for a proper fit. Additionally, all of the components are FR, including the shell, padding, no-fog visor and rigid neck shield which incorporates aramid to protect from thrown objects. In fact, the helmet is designed for liquids (especially burning liquids) to flow to the rear and off the helmet. Additionally, the helmet can be maintained by the wearer.
Although not shown, Schuberth also offers an FR comms headset for use with their helmets.
Schuberth Helmets are available in Canada from Rampart Corp.
Leading edge anti-ballistic armor systems integrating the latest in enhanced multi-hit performance and durability in ceramic armor systems.
McKinney, Texas (May 2018) Diamond Age, a materials science and engineering firm focused on the R&D of leading-edge anti-ballistic armor systems announce their new rifle resistant Bastion Helmet and the Forcefield armor.
In addition to their work with ceramic materials and armor alloys, Diamond Age is a leading producer of boron nitride nanotubes for ceramic reinforcement. Boron Nitride Nanotubes are a nanomaterial that strengthens metal, glass and ceramic composites. Diamond Age is able to offer this material in an 80 – 90% purity and in a dense form (HD-BNNT) suitable for composite production.
“Regardless of the science behind our products, all our customer base of law enforcement and military professionals really want are lightweight products that can be worn all day, in a variety of environmental conditions while offering superior ballistic protection,” Jake Ganor, CEO of Diamond Age said. “It’s our job as engineers to come up with a level of protection that goes beyond NIJ regulations. This is not the next generation of anti-ballistic armor, but the ultimate generation.”
The BASTION Helmet is the first combat helmet that can withstand direct hits from all common rifle rounds including steel core rounds, at muzzle velocities. It has been tested and withstood rounds from 7.62 x 51mm M80, 7.62 x 39mm PS ball, 5.56 x 45mm M855A1, 5.56 x 45mm M193, 5.7x28mm SS190, and various handgun and SMG threats.
It is augmented with an ultra-lightweight carbon fiber and ceramic strike-face and designed for extreme use in the field. The BASTION helmet is completely modular featuring a full 5-plate configuration which covers the entirety of the helmet shell for manning turrets, vehicular patrols and tactical raids and entries. Infantrymen can configure to a lighter set up using on the front and back tiles, while snipers may choose to wear only the front tile. The BASTION accommodates Wilcox® shrouds without sacrificing any coverage and M-Lok rails are also available. The helmet includes the industry’s most advanced padding system, from 4D Tactical, for comfort and optimal performance against high-impact rifle rounds.
The Diamond Age Forcefield armor panel offers superior protection from a variety of high-velocity SMG special threats such as 7.62 x 25 mm Tokarev (over 1700 fps), 5.7 x 29mm (over 2100 fps) and the HK 4.6 x 30mm (over 2000 fps). Further handgun special threats tested and defeated include 80-grain solid copper 9mm SCS rounds. Knives, spikes and needles have also met their match with the Forcefield. The Forcefield also exceeds the military’s requirement for military-grad frag with a V50 against the 16fr RCC tested at over 2180 ft per second.
Yet the Forcefield for all its protective qualities is as thin and light as the average soft armor panel in its class at just 6.8mm and 1.17 pounds per square foot. Designed for uncompromising protection for SWAT, military and high-risk security personnel, the Forcefield is available in BALCS-cut panels and BALCS armor carriers are also available.
Diamond Age is an Associate Member of the National Association of Police Equipment Distributors (NAPED). For more information on Diamond Age anti-ballistic armor, visit www.diamondage.org
I am an unrepentant dog lover, even Maligators, so when I saw the Trident K9 Tactical Helmet by K9 Helms, I had to stop and take a look.
Here, K9 Dexter from T3 Consulting / Coastal K9, wears the Trident Helmet at SOFIC (via K9 Helm’s Facebook page).
A. The main shell is a single piece of super-tough, 3D printed nylon. It features complex curves and details that are finely tuned for performance and durability.
B. ANSI rated, UV400 eye protection is easy to install and remove, yet stays firmly in place. Independent, spherical lenses are canted to each side to maximize the dog’s peripheral vision.
C. Left and right side retention plates squeeze inward with strap tension, providing cushy-yet-firm clamping force.
D. Thick rubber strap is reversible for use by right or left handed humans.
E. 2-position rail can be used to mount a variety of devices, or it can be removed altogether in favor of cameras like the MOHOC, which may be attached directly to the helmet surface.
F. Flexible rear brace meets the neck and terminates in a flared beaver tail, stabilizing the helmet during sudden changes to head and neck angles.
G. Secured with Velcro, the multi-panel foam padding is easily replaced and made in 3 sizes to achieve the best possible fit.
H. Captive strap guides and shielded button stud provide a secure closure that’s fast and easy to operate.
I. Removable fasteners facilitate easy disassembly. Replaceable parts allow for many rebuilds — extending the unit’s service life.
The helmet is still in the development phase, but should be released late this year.
Although the M-216 Ski Search and Rescue Helmet was released last November, Team Wendy is looking at some color options for the future.
They dipped one helmet in MultiCam Alpine and the other in Black (the lighting at the show makes the colors seem off), to see which one SOFIC-goers prefer. What do you think?
“Soldier Protection Today” by Center for New American Security researchers Lauren Fish and Paul Scharre examines
the state of soldier protection today – both its value and limitations.
Their findings include:
-Body armor is effective at ballistic protection.
-Such protection comes at a price, and the weight of body armor has increased substantially.
-The conservative nature of body armor standards may mean that armor is overdesigned in several respects. -This means there may be opportunities for weight savings while still addressing the most prevalent threats.
-Body armor does not provide adequate protection from blast-induced brain injury, the signature wound of today’s wars.
Download your copy here.
