This year, the Army expects to start fielding a combat helmet that can stop some 7.62mm rounds, said Col. Bill Cole of Program Executive Office Soldier, the Army’s center for advanced equipment.
“Right now, the Army is committed to buying 200,000 [helmets],” Cole said. “I’d be surprised if we stopped at that number.”
The Enhanced Combat Helmets are made of plastic and resin that are tougher than Kevlar, Cole said. Depending on the size, they are between one and four ounces lighter than helmets that Soldiers wear now. The Marines also plan to use the helmet.
The Army plans to start fielding the helmets in late fall, if not sooner, he said. One or two brigades per month should get the new helmets. Since a brigade typically has between 3,500 and 5,000 Soldiers, it could take years to field all of the helmets at that pace.
source: Military.Com
0 comments:
Post a Comment