Combat helmet

Last updated

Example of a modern combat helmet (British Mk 6 with cloth cover) DSCF154 Sgt Lee Johnson 2Bn (Green Howards) YR (RLH).JPG
Example of a modern combat helmet (British Mk 6 with cloth cover)

A combat helmet or battle helmet is a type of helmet. It is a piece of personal armor designed specifically to protect the head during combat. Modern combat helmets are mainly designed to protect from shrapnel and fragments, offer some protection against small arms, and offer a mounting point for devices such as night-vision goggles and communications equipment. [1]

Contents

History

Helmets are among the oldest forms of personal protective equipment and are known to have been worn by the Akkadians/Sumerians in the 23rd century BC, Mycenaean Greeks since the 17th century BC, [2] [3] the Assyrians around 900 BC, ancient Greeks and Romans, throughout the Middle Ages, and up to the end of the 17th century by many combatants. [4] Their materials and construction became more advanced as weapons became more and more powerful. Initially constructed from leather and brass, and then bronze and iron during the Bronze and Iron Ages, they soon came to be made entirely from forged steel in many societies after about 950 AD. At that time, they were purely military equipment, protecting the head from cutting blows with swords, flying arrows, and low-velocity musketry. Iron helmets were deployed into the cavalry of the Mali Empire to protect the cavalrymen and their mount. [5]

Military use of helmets declined after 1670, and rifled firearms ended their use by foot soldiers after 1700 [4] but the Napoleonic era saw ornate cavalry helmets reintroduced for cuirassiers and dragoons in some armies which continued to be used by French forces during World War I as late as 1915. [6]

World War I and its increased use of artillery renewed the need for steel helmets, with the French Adrian helmet and the British Brodie helmet being the first modern steel helmets used on the battlefield, [7] [8] soon followed by the adoption of similar steel helmets, such as the Stahlhelm [9] [10] by the other warring nations. Such helmets offered protection for the head from shrapnel and fragments.

Today's militaries often use high quality helmets made of ballistic materials such as Kevlar and Twaron, [11] which offer improved protection. Some helmets also have good non-ballistic protective qualities, against threats such as concussive shock waves from explosions. [12] [13]

Many of today's combat helmets have been adapted for modern warfare requirements and upgraded with STANAG rails to act as a platform for mounting cameras, video cameras and VAS Shrouds for the mounting of night-vision devices.

Beginning in the early 20th century, combat helmets have often been equipped with helmet covers to offer greater camouflage. There have been two main types of covers—mesh nets were earlier widely used, but most modern combat helmets use camouflage cloth covers instead.

By the late 20th century, starting in the 1970s and 1980s, new materials such as Kevlar and Twaron began replacing steel as the primary material for combat helmets, in an effort to improve weight reduction and ballistic protection, and protection against traumatic brain injury. This practice still continues into the 21st century, with further advancement and refinements in the fibers used, design and shape of the helmet, and increased modularity. Early helmet systems of this new design are the American PASGT, the Spanish MARTE, the Italian SEPT-2 PLUS, and British Mk 6.

Padding

Cushioning is used to negate concussive injuries. Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory published a study in 2011 that concluded that the addition of 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm) of cushion decreased the impact force to the skull by 24%. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armour</span> Covering used to protect from physical injury or damage

Armour or armor is a covering used to protect an object, individual, or vehicle from physical injury or damage, especially direct contact weapons or projectiles during combat, or from a potentially dangerous environment or activity. Personal armour is used to protect soldiers and war animals. Vehicle armour is used on warships, armoured fighting vehicles, and some combat aircraft, mostly ground attack aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevlar</span> Heat-resistant and strong aromatic polyamide fiber

Kevlar (para-aramid) is a strong, heat-resistant synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. Developed by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont in 1965, the high-strength material was first used commercially in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires. It is typically spun into ropes or fabric sheets that can be used as such, or as an ingredient in composite material components.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmet</span> Protective headwear

A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head. More specifically, a helmet complements the skull in protecting the human brain. Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes worn. Soldiers wear combat helmets, often made from Kevlar or other lightweight synthetic fibers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulletproof vest</span> Form of body armour that protects the torso from some projectiles

A bulletproof vest, also known as a ballistic vest or a bullet-resistant vest, is an item of body armour that helps absorb the impact and reduce or stop penetration to the torso by firearm-fired projectiles and fragmentation from explosions. The vest may come in a soft form, as worn by many police officers, prison officers, security guards, and some private citizens, used to protect against stabbing attacks or light projectiles, or hard form, using metallic or para-aramid components. Soldiers and police tactical units wear hard armour, either in conjunction with soft armour or alone, to protect against rifle ammunition or fragmentation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops</span> Military equipment

Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops is a combat helmet and ballistic vest that was used by the United States military from the early 1980s until the mid-2000s, when the helmet and vest were succeeded by the Lightweight Helmet (LWH), Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH), and Interceptor Body Armor (IBA) respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M1 helmet</span> Combat helmet

The M1 helmet is a combat helmet that was used by the U.S. military from World War II until 1985, when it was succeeded by the PASGT helmet. The M1 helmet has become an icon of the US military, with its design inspiring other militaries around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body armor</span> Protective clothing; armor worn on the body

Body armor, personal armor, armored suit (armoured) or coat of armor, among others, is protective clothing designed to absorb or deflect physical attacks. Historically used to protect military personnel, today it is also used by various types of police, private security guards, or bodyguards, and occasionally ordinary citizens. Today there are two main types: regular non-plated body armor for moderate to substantial protection, and hard-plate reinforced body armor for maximum protection, such as used by combatants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modular Integrated Communications Helmet</span> Type of U.S. combat helmet

The Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH) is a U.S. combat helmet and one of several used by the U.S. military. It was developed by the United States Army Soldier Systems Center to be the next generation of protective combat helmets for use by the U.S. Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SPECTRA helmet</span>

The SPECTRA helmet or CGF Gallet Combat Helmet is the PASGT-style ballistic helmet in use with the French military, and the armies of several other countries. Built by CGF Gallet, it weighs 1.4 kg (3.1 lb), is available in three sizes, and is made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene Spectra fibers, produced under license from Honeywell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Advanced Combat Helmet</span> Worn by army soldiers

The Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) is the United States Army's current combat helmet, used since the early 2000s. It was developed by the United States Army Soldier Systems Center, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to be the next generation of protective combat helmets for use by the American ground forces. The ACH is derived from the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mk 6 helmet</span> Combat helmet

The Mk 6 helmet is a type of combat helmet that was the standard of the British Armed Forces as well as another supplied helmet of the UN during peacekeeping operations. The Mk 6 replaced the Mk IV helmet in army service and the RAC helmet in naval service. The jump in MK numbers is thought due to the confusion surrounding the MK IV helmet using the MK V lining, introduced in 1959.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballistic face mask</span>

A ballistic face mask, also known as facial armor, is a type of personal armor designed to protect the wearer's face from ballistic threats. Ballistic face masks are usually made of Kevlar or other bullet resistant materials and the inside of the mask may be padded for shock absorption, depending on the design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CG634</span>

The CG634 is the Canadian Armed Forces' main combat helmet. It was introduced in 1997 and is based on the French Gallet TC-3 helmet. The helmet has protection equal to an NIJ Level 3a rating, being able to stop a shot from a .357 Magnum.

The Bangtan Helmet is a combat helmet developed by South Korea in 1971. Despite the name, the helmet was not designed to withstand against direct hitting bullets but to protect against heavy objects and bomb shrapnel–a standard for 1970s military world wide; though, it was one of the earliest military helmets that applied non-metal composite material to reduce the weight while increasing the protection. The name was given as a commemorate for being superior than the M1 helmet. The helmet configuration is based on the latest version of the M1. Since the introduction of the New Type Bangtan Helmet, later known as KH-B2000, in 2003, the name gradually changed to Old Type Bangtan Helmet , and the helmet is phasing out from active service since 2004. There is no official model number given to the helmet, but the Ministry of Defense sometimes calls it a "nylon helmet", named after a material of the helmet. The helmet is also known as the M76 by collectors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Usage of personal protective equipment</span>

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is inherent in the theory of universal precaution, which requires specialized clothing or equipment for the protection of individuals from hazard. The term is defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is responsible for PPE regulation, as the "equipment that protects employees from serious injury or illness resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other hazards." While there are common forms of PPEs such as gloves, eye shields, and respirators, the standard set in the OSHA definition indicates a wide coverage. This means that PPE involves a sizable range of equipment. There are several ways to classify them such as how gears could be physiological or environmental. The following list, however, sorts personal protective equipment according to function and body area.

The OR-201, also designated Kasda OR-201 Model 76 or M-76 for short, is a combat helmet of Israeli origin. Developed in the 1970s, the OR-201 was one of the world's first ballistic helmets. It was subsequently exported on a large scale and has been used by many militaries worldwide.

The GOLFO is a combat helmet of Chilean origin issued to the Chilean Army. The helmet is produced locally by the Chilean private firm Baselli Hermanos Brothers S.A. and was introduced in 2000; Made of kevlar, it is capable of stopping a 9×19mm round at 310m.

The BK-3 is a Croatian Combat helmet produced by Šestan-Busch, and is the standard combat helmet of the Croatian Armed Forces. It is also widely exported to many NATO and Middle Eastern customers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gefechtshelm M92</span> German combat helmet

The Gefechtshelm M92 is the standard issue combat helmet of the Bundeswehr, first fielded in 1992 as a replacement of earlier M1956 steel helmets that were previously used during the Cold War. It is made from Aramid composite materials and is used by all branches of the Bundeswehr.

References

  1. ↑ "Combat Helmets and Blast Traumatic Brain Injury". JMVH. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  2. ↑ "Shaft Graves, Mycenae". Archived from the original on 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  3. ↑ Nobuo Komita, The Grave Circles at Mycenae and the Early Indo-Europeans [ permanent dead link ]
  4. 1 2 "Short History of Armour and Weapons". Archived from the original on 19 December 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
  5. ↑ Robin Law (1976). "Horses, Firearms, and Political Power in Pre-Colonial West Africa, Past and Present". Past and Present. 72 (1): 112–132. doi:10.1093/past/72.1.112.
  6. ↑ Heaumes Page Archived 30 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ "The first modern steel combat helmet: the French 'Adrian' - Military Trader". 2 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  8. ↑ Military headgears Archived 27 May 2012 at archive.today
  9. ↑ "German-Helmets.com". Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
  10. ↑ "German Pickelhaube Spiked Helmet Evolution Guide". www.kaisersbunker.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2006. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
  11. ↑ "Differences Between Kevlar and Twaron | Difference Between". www.differencebetween.net. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  12. ↑ "Kevlar PASGT Helmet".
  13. ↑ "combat helmet upgrade,tbi,brain injury,military,charity". Operation Helmet. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
  14. ↑ Regg Zoroya (17 April 2011). "Larger helmet could guard against brain injury to troops". USA Today. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.