Enhanced Combat Helmet to Be Fielded in Fall

**Pete** · 02-08-2011, 06:10

Enhanced Combat Helmet to Be Fielded in Fall

http://www.asdnews.com/news/33374/En...ed_in_Fall.htm

".............."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."................."

Out with the Advanced in with the Enhanced.

1stindoor · 02-08-2011, 07:09

It's not the size, weight, shape, etc. of the helmet that's the issue...it's getting Joe to wear it versus his baseball cap.

This coming from the guy that's had more firefights in a ballcap than I did in a helmet.

02-08-2011, 12:22

So out of curiosity, why the preference for baseball cap?

1stindoor · 02-08-2011, 12:32

A couple of reasons:
1. After many long drives in a GMV through the desert it was more comfortable.
2. It was my father's cap from his union...given to me just before he died.
3. Oakleys stay mounted on the bill easier than they do on a MCH.

Papa Zero Three · 02-08-2011, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Creepy One

So out of curiosity, why the preference for baseball cap?

Because a baseball cap stops an AK round just about as well as an ACH but the ball cap is more comfortable. If someone built a ball cap with NVG and ARC rail mounts on it you would have 100% usage I am sure.

Texas_Shooter · 02-08-2011, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

A couple of reasons:
3. Oakleys stay mounted on the bill easier than they do on a MCH.

LOL

mojaveman · 02-08-2011, 15:07

Interesting.

I remember when the first Kevlars came out around '84? and many didn't like the way they looked. Heard more than a few comments about the style of the helmet and how they looked like the German helmets of WWII. Unlike the old steel pots at least they came in diferent sizes.

Snaquebite · 02-08-2011, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Zero Three

Because a baseball cap stops an AK round just about as well as an ACH but the ball cap is more comfortable. If someone built a ball cap with NVG and ARC rail mounts on it you would have 100% usage I am sure.

The ACH was never rated for rifle rounds. It is level IIIA protection tested to the standards below. The ECH is supposed to be ballistically superior but I have not seen any criteria listed. The ECH has been in the works for over 3 years.

Ballistic Resistance (ACH)

NIJ0101.04 Leval IIIA

NIJ-STD0106.01

9mm, 124 grain, FMJ @ 1450 fps, backface < 12 mm

44 Magnum 230gr

Fragmentation Resistance

2 grain RCC @ 4075 fps

4 grain RCC @ 3450 fps

16 grain RCC @ 2425 fps

64 grain RCC @ 1700 fps

17 grain FSP @ 2150 fps

EDit to add: While some reports say that the helmet (ECH) will stop some rifle rounds, officials refuse to say specifically what round. The biggest requirement in the ECH development was 35% increased fragmentation protection and lighter than the ACH.

**The Reaper** · 02-08-2011, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

The ACH was never rated for rifle rounds. It is level IIIA protection tested to the standards below. The ECH is supposed to be ballistically superior but I have not seen any criteria listed. The ECH has been in the works for over 3 years.

Ballistic Resistance (ACH)

NIJ0101.04 Leval IIIA

NIJ-STD0106.01

9mm, 124 grain, FMJ @ 1450 fps, backface < 12 mm

44 Magnum 230gr

Fragmentation Resistance

2 grain RCC @ 4075 fps

4 grain RCC @ 3450 fps

16 grain RCC @ 2425 fps

64 grain RCC @ 1700 fps

17 grain FSP @ 2150 fps

EDit to add: While some reports say that the helmet (ECH) will stop some rifle rounds, officials refuse to say specifically what round. The biggest requirement in the ECH development was 35% increased fragmentation protection and lighter than the ACH.

From what I have heard, the new helmet does not even stop all of the pistol rounds required for a IIIA, much less rifle rounds.

TR

Snaquebite · 02-08-2011, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

From what I have heard, the new helmet does not even stop all of the pistol rounds required for a IIIA, much less rifle rounds.

TR

They have been really tight lipped in disclosing ballistic capabilities...

**18C4V** · 02-08-2011, 17:21

This is a helmet worn by a WO from B/2/3 who got shot in the back of the head by a sniper with a .223 round during a night time raid. He got a splitting heacache, and a new helmet.

Max_Tab · 02-15-2011, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18C4V

This is a helmet worn by a WO from B/2/3 who got shot in the back of the head by a sniper with a .223 round during a night time raid. He got a splitting heacache, and a new helmet.

I remember that.

NoRoadtrippin · 02-16-2011, 19:17

I think you'd have more luck getting Soldiers in the helmet if they invested in the suspension system again. The new(er) pads are much better than the PASGT suspension without a doubt, but it sounds like systems like the Occ-Dial or even just Ops-Core chinstraps make a huge difference in comfort. I have the Occ-Dial on my personal short list of items to buy.

**Ambush Master** · 02-16-2011, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Creepy One

So out of curiosity, why the preference for baseball cap?

Hell, I never went into the Bush wearing anything other than a Cravat (OD Triangular Bandage)!!!

Later
Martin

tango_uniform · 02-17-2011, 11:36

http://www.military.com/news/article...fle-shots.html

Testers hoped to get about a 40 percent increase in ballistic resistance over the ACH. But Cole said in some tests, the new ECH was 70 percent stronger than the helmets worn by Soldiers and Marines today. Additionally the new helmet weighs about four ounces less than the ACH.