Israel’s Agilite produced the new Platforma ACH helmet cover for ArmorSource. It is made from a combination of mesh and 4-way stretch along with an elastic bungee that run the length of the cover. This elastic will also cradle the CORE Survival HEL-STAR strobe.
The cover also incorporates pile sections to accommodate the ArmorSource Rail. This rail will mount via Velcro and with the Platforma cover you do not need to even affix pile tape to your helmet as the ASR will attach right to the cover.
Today, I’m on assignment in Ohio at the ArmorSource factory. I’ve been here once before and I’ve got to tell you, it’s one of the cleanest factories I’ve ever seen. You can really feel the pride in what they do. And today, they’ve definitely got something to crow about. ArmorSource has literally just announced a major contract award from the Army. On hand is Sen Rob Portman (R-OH).
The LW ACH is in the center, surrounded by other ArmorSource helmets including boltless models and the Kryptek dipped rifle helmet.
There is a lot of win today. With this contract, the Army is capitalizing on the work accomplished on the Enhanced Combat Helmet by purchasing a lightweight version of the ACH. The standard ACH size Large has a max weight of 3.31 lbs. the new Lightweight version has a max weight of 3.05 lbs but ArmorSource’s version is coming in below that. That’s going to be great since we continue to mount equipment on the Soldier’s head. The LW ACH is not only lighter than the existing ACH, it also continues to provide the same level of protection. Additionally, ArmorSource is hiring 250 people to make these helmets for our troops. Improved protection for our men and women in uniform and American jobs. What could be better?
ArmorSource, LLC (ArmorSource) today announced its award for the first delivery order of the Lightweight, Advanced Combat Helmet (LW ACH). The award is a two-year, $92,681,250 fixed price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The award marks a significant step in the Army’s efforts to lighten the soldier’s load, as this award will provide soldiers with the Army’s lightest helmet yet.
Ballistic Lab Manager John Stenson briefs Sen Portman on ArmorSource’s in-house testing capabilities.
The LW ACH, or AS-505, 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 by four ounces, the LW ACH provides superior protection while alleviating the extreme weight burden soldiers must sustain on their head and neck. This critical piece of equipment will both better serve our men and women in uniform, and improve their operational readiness.
“We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this LW ACH order,” said Yoav Kapah, CEO, ArmorSource. “This helmet is a significant step forward for our soldiers. It provides improved ballistic head protection while reducing the overall soldier load. We take great pride in supporting our troops, and we’re honored that ArmorSource has been selected to partner with the DoD on this initiative.”
As the largest ballistic helmet manufacturer in the United States, ArmorSource’s state-of-the-art 120,000 square foot facility allows the Company an output capacity of over 500,000 helmets per year, and a strict on-time delivery history. To fulfill the LW ACH award on time, ArmorSource anticipates hiring up to 250 individuals in 2014.
Following a tour of the ArmorSource facility today, Senator Rob Portman, R-OH, said, “I couldn’t be more proud that helmets made by skilled, Ohio manufacturing will protect our men and women in uniform. I’m pleased that the Defense Department finally moved forward with this acquisition – our soldiers in the field need it. While we’ll see 250 new jobs here, our soldiers will be getting an advanced helmet that is lighter and keeps them protected on the battlefield.”
The initial LW ACH award will ship from ArmorSource to the Defense Logistics Agency for on-going sustainment of the U.S. Army starting in the third quarter of calendar year 2014.
This is very exciting news. I’ve known Carl for years and he’s a very knowledgeable and all around great guy. As for ArmorSource, I visited their factory in Ohio recently and am extremely impressed with their capabilities as well as their employees. ArmorSource is definitely a company to keep an eye on.
Here is the ArmorSource press release:
ArmorSource, LLC announced today that defense industry executive and decorated Army veteran Carl Fulmore will join the company as Vice President of Business Development. Fulmore is currently a Director of Business Development at BAE Systems, Inc. Mr. Fulmore comes to ArmorSource, the world’s leading ballistic helmet manufacturer, with an in-depth knowledge of the industry and the experience of a more than 20 year, distinguished career in
the military where he served in the Infantry, the Special Forces and the Acquisition Corps.In his new role with the company, Fulmore will oversee ArmorSource’s domestic business development efforts with the military, which spans the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and the Special Operations Command. Fulmore will capture new business opportunities for ArmorSource, focusing on innovative products such as the Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet (LWACH), the Ultra Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet (ULWACH), and the new generation of mission-specific configurations with the ability to suppress 7.62mm ballistic threats.
“At ArmorSource, we are fully committed to equipping U.S. troops with the best head protection available. We make sure that our products do everything possible to help our warfighters be more effective, more efficient and safer,” said Yoav Kapah, President and CEO of ArmorSource. “Carl has excellent experience and he knows ballistic helmets from his days using them in the Army and Special Forces, and from his time overseeing their acquisition as an Assistant Program Manager for the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier. His great private sector experience within the protective equipment industry is just one more reason that I am honored to have Carl as a part of our team at
ArmorSource.“ArmorSource is leading innovation in the ballistic head protection market in every way. I am thrilled to be working with a team that is bringing to the warfighter the lightest and strongest helmets available, and I look forward to expanding ArmorSource’s presence within the U.S. Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies,” said Fulmore. “Beyond having exceptional technology, I know from my prior work that ArmorSource has a great record of quality and on time delivery. That matters to program staff and end users. They are consistent, honest and great at what they do. I am proud to be part of the team and look forward to working with Mr. Kapah to continue growing the company.”
Fulmore begins his role as ArmorSource’s Vice President of Business Development on March 18, 2013.
Look for more ArmorSource news soon from SSD.
ArmorSource has offered Government customers a sneak peek of their future Sidewinder Powered Helmet line. Utilizing their various helmet protection solutions, ArmorSource has added a Mil Std 1913 powered appliqué. Referred to as a powered accessory platform, it is an entirely new take on helmet rails. My understanding is that the removable batteries last for 10 hours and are rechargeable with standard 110 shore power.
Variants include standard ACH ballistic package versions as well as lightweight variants which include a carbon fiber outer shell in full, mid and high cuts. Look for more details soon.
Last week we began to hear some rumblings from industry that the Advanced Combat Helmets sold to the Army by ArmorSource were actually produced by sub-contractor UNICOR (federal prison industries). UNICOR has first right of refusal for numerous commodities purchased by the government. For example, try to buy office furniture for a government building without going to UNICOR first. UNICOR is no stranger to manufacturing helmets, nor to making a mess of the deal. Some PASGT Helmets produced by UNICOR between 1980 and 2006 were found to have been incorrectly manufactured with not enough Kevlar. At that time, UNICOR was working as a sub-contractor to produce helmets for Sioux Manufacturing Corporation. So, unfortunately for ArmorSource (formerly known as Rabintex USA), the Army’s statement last week about removing the helmets from service makes it seem that they are under investigation by the Department of Justice. Perhaps they are, but the investigation is being handled by the US Attorney for Eastern Texas which also happens to be near the UNICOR facility in Beaumont, Texas that produced the helmets in question. This makes it seem to be a UNICOR-centric issue and begs the question whether UNICOR has any business manufacturing personal protective equipment for the military.
