A military helmet is one of the most important pieces of equipment for any modern soldier. Minimum weight and dimensions, high safety and reliability, comfort during prolonged use and correct placement of attachments (lights, NVRs, headphones, visors, etc.) are the main parameters of combat helmets that ballistic head protection designers are working on. To achieve optimum parameters, standards and protection classes, the latest aramid fibres, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, strongest polymer and nylon materials are used in the development of tactical helmets.
Combat helmets: the unbearable lightness of being
Helmet designers constantly battle with weight while trying to maximize the safety, durability, and comfort of their helmets. This is particularly important when helmets are fitted as lightweight accessories such as night vision goggles and cameras.
Military helmets have to be able to support the fitting of multiple accessories and subsystems whilst keeping their weight as low as possible. According to the industry, recent years have seen a dramatic leap forward in terms of helmet materials and design, and there is no sign of any stagnation in this area. Perhaps the key changes in helmet design are related to the introduction of new materials from which they are made.
In many countries, there has been a move away from aramid fibre designs to ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) helmets.
Heavyweight problem
The main driver for this transition is the reduction in weight that the use of polyethylene provides. UHMWPE can provide the same protection as aramid fibre for a significant reduction in weight, or a higher level of protection for the same weight, making it a more flexible solution. Weight is “one of the fundamental drivers of technology” and military departments in many countries are looking for ways to reduce the burden on their troops. And that’s why technologies that reduce the weight of soldiers’ outfits are attracting a lot of attention from the military and industry.
Manufacturers of protection systems are constantly enhancing the performance of their finished products to optimize performance through various combinations of base materials, including improved processing and hybridization with other materials, such as carbon fibre, to increase the stiffness of the final products.
The online shop https://uarmprotection.com/shop/category/head-protection/ballistic-helmets/ offers helmets to protect the head from pistol bullets and shrapnel, impact with heavy objects and avoid injuries from falls from heights.
