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Until 2014 military helmet interested a very narrow layer of specialists. Now the realities are different: you can quite easily buy a helmet with the highest level of ballistic protection on the Internet, and a large number of Ukrainians understand the standards and types. Obviously, the war in Ukraine has been going on for several years: more and more people are involved in the defense of the state, and their safety is the main task. Let's consider how modern military helmets can save lives and which helmet to choose.
Requirements for the protection of helmets
Military helmets must provide protection against bullets, as well as debris and debris caused by the blast wave.
Protection against bullets
Surprisingly, protection against bullet penetration is not the main requirement for a helmet. Although ballistic standards and tests are geared towards this, the helmet should protect primarily from debris.
There are different levels of helmet protection defined by safety standards. The most popular is NIJ (National Institute of Justice), which is used in the USA. It also defines the highest level of resistance to ballistic threats. For helmets it is NIJ IIIA. It predicts that the helmet is capable of stopping .44 Magnum bullets at 436 m/s.
Protection against debris
According to statistics, 90% of threats to a fighter's head on the battlefield are caused by debris from explosions. Therefore, the main "specialization" of military helmets is protection against impacts and mechanical loads. The use of modern materials — in particular, aramid and polyethylene — realizes this possibility.
Experience using military helmets
For a long time - especially when there were no really reliable materials for the production of helmets - it was believed that it was possible to perform combat tasks without a helmet. Metal helmets were heavy and uncomfortable, easily pierced by any debris. So these products were not particularly valued among the military.
One of the most famous examples of the successful use of military helmets is the armed conflict in the Persian Gulf in 1991. During combat operations, the US military used PASGT helmets made of aramid, which protected heads from shrapnel and bullets. Based on the results of the analysis of this conflict, the researchers found that the use of helmets reduced the number of casualties among the military.
Another example is the combat operation in Iraq in 2003. In this conflict, new models of military helmets were used: ACH and ECH. They were more comfortable and provided a higher level of protection. The use of new models of helmets helped to reduce the number of wounded and dead.
This created the prerequisites for the research and development of new materials for the production of helmets: aramid (Kevlar) and polyethylene (UHMW-PE). Light, strong and resistant to external factors, they are the basis of most modern military helmets.
Military helmet for special operations
More than once, you have seen cool photos of our defenders in full gear, with thermal imagers and tactical headphones on their helmets. Special helmets have been created to work with additional equipment. They were developed for special forces, combining a high level of protection with a lightweight design and an external fastening system. The result was so successful that these helmets began to be used en masse in other branches of the military.
One example is the FAST Ballistic High Cut Helmet. This military helmet meets the NIJ IIIA standard and provides protection against 9mm and .44 Magnum bullets and debris. The helmet also provides a high level of comfort thanks to an adjustable fixation system on the head and a soft inner lining. There are several mounting systems on the outside of the product: it is possible to install a thermal imager, a flashlight, a night vision system, etc. Thanks to the comfortable height, you can comfortably wear external tactical headphones with a helmet.
Innovative technologies in the development of military helmets
Developers are constantly improving helmet manufacturing technologies in order to provide a higher level of protection and comfort. In the future, we can expect the appearance of even more convenient and functional models that will take into account the specifics of various military tasks.
One of the main prospects for development is the development of helmets with electronic systems. Such helmets will be equipped with sensors to detect explosive devices and other threats, as well as to monitor the health of fighters.
Another perspective is the development of helmets with automatic adaptation to the environment. Such helmets will have sensors that detect a change in lighting conditions and automatically change the level of dimming of the visor.
In addition, developers are paying attention to the use of artificial intelligence and sensors, which can help detect danger and respond to it in time. Also, materials for making helmets are constantly being improved, with the aim of improving protection and reducing weight.
However, at this stage it is still too early to expect the appearance of helmets that will be both light and able to protect against bullets fired from automatic weapons. Perhaps the problem will be solved by the appearance of the newest material — as aramid once revolutionized the entire industry.
Where to buy a military helmet?
To buy a helmet, you should choose a store that offers officially certified products of the highest level of ballistic protection. This is very important, because there are many cheap fakes on the market that threaten life.
So, before buying a military helmet, you should make sure that:
- the company has quality certificates and can provide them to the buyer;
- products are manufactured in Europe or on the American continent;
- there are data on ballistic tests (a separate plus — if the seller conducts additional tests);
- the helmet is not lighter than 1200 g (otherwise it indicates the use of cheap materials).
Ballistika online store offers FAST military helmets, designed in the UK and manufactured in a facility in Canada. They meet NATO standards (as evidenced by the certificate) and have passed the necessary examinations. The seller separately shoots each helmet from a new batch at the range. This is an official product that can really save the lives and health of Ukrainian defenders.
