The modern military uses a variety of tools to prepare soldiers for battle. These include the right gear, training and support. Modern helmets have become lighter as composite materials like Kevlar have replaced steel. They also feature padding and fitted chin straps to keep the helmet in place during an attack.
Increased Mobility
The military helmet market is driven by strict guidelines and standards set by numerous defense and security organizations. Manufacturers must adhere to these requirements to receive contracts and permits from these organizations, helping the industry expand.
The enhanced combat helmet exemplifies how modern materials and production techniques can make a difference in the military helmet market. This helmet boasts several features that help soldiers to be more mobile on the battlefield, such as modular attachments and night vision compatibility.
It’s also made of a lighter material that helps to reduce weight without compromising protection. Unlike the Army’s current ACP and Marine Lightweight Helmets, which are only protected from AK-47 ammunition and shell fragmentation, the ECH is designed to protect against both of these threats.
Reduced Fatigue
The military continues to find ways to lighten armor and gear, including helmets. This is important because heavy loads decrease soldier performance. Studies have shown increased weight reduces situational awareness and a soldier’s ability to make marksmanship decisions.
Helmets made with Dyneema have become a standard for the military because of their superior strength-to-weight ratio. This is especially important as more fighting occurs in dense urban environments. Smart helmets with augmented reality displays allow soldiers to maneuver urban battlefields while automatically prioritizing the information they’re exposed to.
Demand for an advanced military helmet is also increasing because of a focus on protecting soldiers against traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs are the signature wound of the War on Terror and have caused long-term psychological problems in many veterans. Advanced helmets with integrated sensor technologies allow for early detection of TBIs to help prevent them from becoming severe.
Increased Ballistic Protection
The Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) is lighter than the Army’s current Advanced Combat Helmet, offering more protection against rifle rounds and blasts. Moreover, it can stop bullets without degrading the Soldier’s field of vision or hearing. But the helmets’ protective capabilities go beyond stopping bullets. They also help protect soldiers against the shock waves that can damage a brain.
Researchers are investigating how to reduce the damage caused by blast waves. They aim to make helmets to prevent the shock wave from causing lethal injuries. In addition, engineers want to make a helmet that can stop steel-cored rifle threats. To achieve this, they must use hard but lightweight ceramic material affixed to the outer shell that will disrupt or shatter the projectiles’ inner core.
Improved Vision
Modern combat helmets help to ensure soldiers’ safety in hazardous situations by protecting them from ballistic threats, fragmentation, and other potential head injuries. The industry is also being driven by strict guidelines and standards set by various defense and security organizations to guarantee the performance of combat helmets.
For example, the ECH was designed using a new composite design incorporating ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), replacing the resin-impregnated para-aramids used in the fielded ACH while maintaining its protection capabilities. This allows for better stability and comfort while enhancing the Soldier’s visibility and hearing.
The military is expected to be the primary end-user of advanced combat helmets; however, the market in the law enforcement sector is expanding rapidly. Helmets that offer dependable protection are needed by police and SWAT teams in dangerous missions such as counterterrorism, riot control, and tactical interventions.
Increased Comfort
Modern combat helmets feature lightweight designs and advanced materials to ensure they’re comfortable to wear over long periods. These innovations allow military and law enforcement personnel to remain safe and alert in hazardous situations by protecting their heads from ballistic threats and fragmentation.
Developing cutting-edge helmets results from technological developments in manufacturing and material science. Specifically, these advances have led to a rise in the use of materials like Aramid fibers and ballistic ceramics to create more protective helmets that are lighter than ever.
As a result of these innovations, military and law enforcement organizations are investing heavily in upgrading their equipment to protect soldiers from the threat of traumatic brain injuries. Moreover, the need for these helmets is also driven by increasing emphasis on homeland security to safeguard borders and vital infrastructure.
