HELME: Ulbricht's protection against Kalashnikov

The Titan helmet manufacturer ULBRICHTS Protection has demonstrated the performance of its products in Güstrow (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany): A Titan-Aramid helmet (VPAM 4+) was shot with a Kalashnikov assault rifle in front of about 200 members of special units from Europe and the USA. Two new modules reinforced the helmet shell to achieve the new protection level VPAM 6. The new FORTIS face shield was attached in the frontal area, and a prototype of the world's first VPAM-6 visor was used for the first time.

The Kalashnikov assault rifle was loaded with widely used and highly penetrating 7.62 mm x 39 steel core ammunition. The result of the live demonstration: Both a hit in the forehead area and a hit in the face were stopped, and a fatal trauma of over 25 joules would have been clearly prevented for the helmet wearer. Both additional components are reliably able to reduce the immense firepower of a Kalashnikov of over 2000 joules and a projectile speed of around 720 meters per second to well under 25 joules. A frontal headshot is survivable.

"We have achieved a new level in ballistic head protection," emphasized Georg Scharpenack, Managing Director and Owner of ULBRICHTS Protection in Güstrow. "When any ULBRICHTS Titan helmet is combined with the face shield and visor shown here in Güstrow, you get the lightest and most effective VPAM-6 head protection on the market. The two modules significantly increase the protection level and are a real option for special units like patrol officers due to their low weight."

Residual energy well below 25 joules

To illustrate the effectiveness of the high-tech head protection, the helmet was placed on a soap head. Identical soap heads are also used in official bullet tests to measure the residual energy transferred to the head. In the frontal and face areas, hardly noticeable deformations were visible in the soap head, corresponding to a low residual energy of less than five joules. The result from Güstrow thus almost corresponds to the official test at the Mellrichstadt Proof House, which is already available for the FORTIS face shield. Stopping the projectile is mandatory, but undershooting the maximum residual energy value of 25 joules according to the VPAM HVN 2009 guideline is the crucial criterion for ensuring effective ballistic head protection.

ZENTURIO for winners of the ULBRICHTS Challenge

On the third day of the workshop, the various special units competed against each other in various exercises. ULBRICHTS Protection was this year's sponsor of the "Extra Challenge", where the officers had to navigate a parkour with various obstacles and shooting exercises in pairs – well protected with a ULBRICHTS Titanium helmet of the HOPLIT F 1000 Hybrid model (VPAM 4+). The prize for the winners of the ULBRICHTS Challenge: an SEK Titanium helmet, ZENTURIO model, with a very special paint job. The unique piece was designed by Formula 1 helmet designer Jens Munser specifically for this occasion. The design of the helmet shell features various symbolic elements with a police theme, including the "Thin Blue Line" as an internationally recognized symbol for police officers. The color blue represents the individual officer who separates the lower "Good" from the upper "Evil" and is willing to sacrifice their life in a crisis. The incorporated motifs from MILpicture photographer Tom Weber on both sides of the helmet are also noteworthy.

“The officers of the special units operate at the highest tactical and physical level in this field, similar to Formula 1 in motorsports. With this special ZENTURIO, we not only want to honor the performance of the best team in our Challenge but also symbolically recognize the dedication of all special forces personnel to public safety," said Lothar Schuster, Strategic Account Manager at ULBRICHTS Protection. The extraordinary Titanium helmet will be passed on annually as a trophy.

Until the Special Forces Workshop next year, it will be with the winners of a special forces unit from southern Germany.
The Special Forces Workshop took place from 23.07. to 25.07.2018 in Güstrow, now in its tenth year. It is organized by Baltic Shooters - Frank Thiel and the State Criminal Police Office of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

About ULBRICHTS Protection

ULBRICHTS Protection, based in Schwanenstadt (Austria), a division of ULBRICHTS Witwe GmbH, manufactures ballistic helmets made of titanium and titanium-aramid (hybrid). The company's international customer base includes special police forces, as well as other police units and military personnel. The company is a pioneer in the field of ballistic head protection and regularly sets new technical standards in terms of protection, comfort, and design. The helmet series ZENTURIO (VPAM 4+), HOPLIT (VPAM 3/4+), and OPTIO (VPAM 2) are designed for different scenarios and users. Their protection level can be modularly increased to VPAM 6 with the FORTIS face shield, and various visors also provide effective protection for the face. More information is available HERE. 

ULBRICHTS PROTECTION on the internet: www.ulbrichts.com/protection