Gear knowledge - Helmi is here

Everything was better in the past. The steel helmet used to be made of metal. Today, soldiers call the professional headgear "plastic bowl." But it's not really "plastic": Ballistic helmet shells are made of modern composite materials. For example, UHMW-PE is 40% stronger in terms of tensile strength compared to Aramid fiber (Kevlar), 60% stronger than carbon and glass fiber, nearly five times stronger than polyamide, polyester, and polypropylene fiber, and up to fifteen times stronger than steel. Usable in a temperature range from -150°C to 100°C.

Modern combat helmet, 7th century BC: Corinthian type, cheek and nose guard, made of bronze, weight: approx. 2.5 kg

Helmets are considered one of the oldest forms of personal protective equipment and were already used by the Sumerians in the 23rd century BC.

So we owe the Sumerians not only cuneiform script (and many other civilizational achievements) but also the professional use of the helmet as personal protective equipment against weapons. Initially made of leather, brass, bronze, and iron, the (battle) helmet evolved continuously up to the end of the 17th century AD parallel to the increasing effectiveness of weapons. The military value of the highly developed steel helmets of the late Middle Ages ended at the latest with the widespread use of rifled guns around 1700. Special helmets were only used by some cavalry units thereafter.

World War I and the excessive artillery bombardments in the mountain fronts brought back the necessity of using a steel helmet for infantry.

The number of head injuries from shrapnel decreased significantly after the introduction of the M16 steel helmet in the k.u.k. Army. Steel helmets became a worldwide standard in military equipment.

Since 1970, the development of modern combat helmets has increasingly leaned towards using alternative materials such as thermoplastic or synthetic fibers (Kevlar, Aramid) and composites.

Above all, weight reduction and increased ballistic protection, but also design and shape characterize the combat helmet of the 21st century. They are individually adjustable to the place and purpose of use as a platform for additional equipment (night vision device, lighting, camera, communication accessories) through mounting rails, as well as the use of helmet covers.

Modern combat helmet, 21st century AD: MIDCUT FAST
Material UHMW-PE composite, weight: approx. 0.9 kg

As of 2017, the Austrian Federal Army also has the new combat helmet "SENTRY XP," in the Midcut form, from the manufacturer OPSCORE. This system replaces the current combat helmet, which dates back to 1993 (in the form of the US PASGT combat helmet). Significant advantages of the new combat helmet are the significantly lower weight (approx. 920 g compared to 1,600 g), wearing comfort in combination with additional protective equipment (body armor), individualization through customizable inner padding and four-point chinstraps, modular expandability through ARC, VAS, FAST, and designated hook-and-loop areas.

Personal impression: The helmets were issued with pre-installed ARC and VAS in the US standard colors Foliage Green and ACU Gray, with two sets of crown and side pads. VAS in lightweight metal and plastic ARCs. In comparison with the ACH from MSA and Gentex (US standard), the weight comparison is particularly heavy: 1,510 g, the LW-ACH from ArmourSourceLLC is still 1,360 g.

Conclusion: What is marketed as an upgrade in the comparison models is standard with OPSCORE - the interior equipment. The Dial Liner, which can be adjusted with a rotary wheel in the neck part, allows the helmet to fit exactly with a finger movement. Together with the optional pads, the "lightweight," and the ballistic properties, it's a top helmet. ARC and VAS should be removed for "everyday use," the hook-and-loop areas serve as dust collectors and patch displays due to the lack of helmet covers.

Boris Kurnik

The Ops-Core Sentry XP on the Internet: www.ops-core.com/sentry-xp-mid-cut-helmet/

Helmet Design Vocabulary

ACH advanced combat helmet

ARC accessory rail connector

FAST facial armor system

MICH modular integrated communications helmet

NVG night vision goggle

PASGT personnel armor system for ground troops

VAS visual augmentation shroud