An Overview of Enhanced Combat Helmet
According to Wikipedia, “The Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) is a United States Marine Corps–led Joint USMC-U.S. Army program to replace the combat helmets of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marines using thermoplastics instead of the ballistic fibers used on the current generation combat helmets. The term “Enhanced Combat Helmet” was originally coined by Army Lieutenant Colonel William R. Schaffer.”
The ECH is very much similar to the advanced combat helmet, but is thicker.An ultra-high molecular polyethylene material is used to make the shell of the ECH and it protects 35 per cent better against fragmentation and arm fire as compared to the advanced combat helmet. It is also effective and is required for protection against certain rifle projectiles.
The enhanced combat helmet or ECH comes with a tactical cut and provides less coverage, but is preferred as it enables better mobility. It will be compatible with camouflage fabric helmet covers.
“The helmet has been shown nearly impenetrable to fragments fired by test guns. In a v50 test, guns were unable to attain the velocity required to get 50% of the fragments through a helmet. The helmet has vastly exceeded the 35% ballistic improvement requirement.
The Army is planning on using the existing pads used on the Advanced Combat Helmet for the ECH. A single pad that cushions the entire helmet may be developed. The ECH has a 4-point chinstrap/napestrap head retention system. The Marine/Navy and Army variants are differentiated in that the Marine/Navy version uses an X-Back retention system (called the Class I) and the Army uses the H-Back retention system (called the Class II).”- Wikipedia
The helmet is designed in a way that allows addition of devices such as night-vision and communications equipment.
To make the most out of this EC helmet and ensure your safety, it is important that you choose the proper and accurate size. The size, fit and stability of the helmet is important for your safety and is critical to your mission. If the helmet sits too low on the head it will become uncomfortable for you as it will interfere with your field of vision. Again, if the enhanced combat helmet is too high, the risk of getting wounded by fragmentation increases.
Thus, make sure that you pick the ECH that perfectly fits your head, making it comfortable and safe for you to be on the battlefield.
