According to the US "Public Machinery" monthly website on June 15th, a new type of helmet being developed by the US Army is expected to reduce the weight of the soldier's head protection equipment and reduce it to the level of World War II. Compared to the helmet, this new 'second generation advanced combat helmet' will reduce the pressure on the soldier's neck muscles while protecting the wearer from head injuries.
According to the report, the 'Second Generation Advanced Combat Helmet' is expected to make the helmet weight up to 24% less than the previous helmet, including the current version of the 'Advanced Combat Helmet' (ACH). At the same time, the second generation ACH helmet can be blocked according to the assessment. Destruction of millimeter caliber bullets, shrapnel and improvised explosive devices. The helmet was developed by the US Army's Natick Soldier Equipment R&D Center.
Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, the US Army distributed the famous M-1 'Steel Pot' helmet for the entire army. The M-1 helmet made of steel with internal harness and fixed belt passed through World War II and later. The Korean War has been used until the end of the Vietnam War. This helmet weighs 3 pounds and can withstand dirt, gravel, bounce and light shrapnel. In the 1980s, the US Army began to use the 'ground unit personal armor system' ( The PAGST) helmet, which uses Kevlar elastic fibers in the manufacturing process, provides limited protection against pistol bullets and heavier shrapnel. But at the cost of excessive weight. The oversized helmet weighs 4.2 pounds. In 2003, the US Army launched the ACH helmet, which reduced the weight of the oversized helmet to 3.88 pounds.
The new second-generation ACH helmet will further reduce the weight of the helmet. The extra-large helmet weighs only 2.94 pounds. To this end, Army scientists and engineers changed the materials used and changed the original Kevlar elastic fiber into Plastic. Yes, it is plastic. According to the Army, its scientific name is 'Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene' (UHMWPE). UHMWPE is a half of all kinds of products used from fishing line to hip graft. Crystalline polymer, which is strong, wear resistant and lightweight.