The term “bulletproof” is often misinterpreted when talking about bulletproof helmets or bulletproof vests. Most helmets and vests are only resistant to bullets, but not completely bulletproof. The following must be known if you intend to protect your head with a bulletproof helmet.
For that matter, there is truly no such thing as bulletproof helmets or other armor. The term bulletproof is described by Merriam-Webster as being “impenetrable to bullets” There’s only one thing we know at the moment that is completely bulletproof, and that’s Superman.
But even this fundamental need has been robbed of the Indian Army soldiers, who fight in adverse circumstances to save the lives of their fellow countrymen. They rely on parkas which are used along with obsolete helmets for their protection, all of which have serious limitations since they are bulky and stiff.
PASGT helmets
The Personnel Armor System for Ground Forces, or PASGT, is the helmet used by the US military to replace the M1 helmet from the 1980s. Coming in the traditional PASGT form in small, medium, big, and extra-large sizes, it was known as the Kevlar® helmet. This helmet was designed to improve the level of protection of the previous versions, most of which were made of steel. It became the traditional helmet of the army for several decades. Eventually, demand for enhanced features such as improved fitting led the military to invent newer ballistic helmet models.
ACH helmets
The US military developed the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH) to address the failures of the PASGT helmet in terms of weight and other problems. Later, the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), which is an advanced variant of MICH, was also developed. The two models look pretty identical, so you can review their specifications to find the few variations between them. In contrast to MICH, ACH has a significantly wider area for the helmet – a plus for safety, but a little less in terms of vision. ACH is a few percentage points higher than MICH in terms of ballistic penetration.
What kind of accessories can one use with bulletproof helmets?
The majority of ballistic helmets make it possible to secure accessories such as:
Side Rails
If you want to install something next to your helmet, you will most probably need side rails. Side rails can interlock devices for various purposes, such as communication gadgets and oxygen masks, with their holes and fastening systems.
NVG Shroud for bulletproof helmets
You can get an NVG (Night Vision Goggle) shroud if you need to clip your night vision goggles to your helmet. This way, you can mount the goggles to your forehead and, when you need them, flip them into position.
There are various accessories that can be built into a helmet that will cater to the wearer’s fit. For e.g., to hold the helmet in place, you can use tight straps and retention systems that conform to the circumference of your head. There are comfort pads available to act as cushions and retain the helmet’s grip. With features such as sweatbands to absorb sweat, full bulletproof helmet liner systems are also available.