Advanced Combat Helmet

The Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) is the United States Army's current combat helmet, used since the early 2000s. It was developed by the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center,^[3] the U.S. Army Special Operations Command,^[4] and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory^[5] to be the next generation of protective combat helmets for use by the American ground forces. The ACH is derived from the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH).^[6]

Advanced Combat Helmet
ACH side view
Type	Combat helmet
Place of origin	United States of America
Service history
In service	2003-present
Used by	See Users
Wars	In U.S. service: Global War on Terrorism War in Afghanistan Iraq War American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war In non-U.S. service: Mexican drug war
Production history
Designer	U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center
Manufacturer	ArmorSource Gentex MKU[1]
Variants	Generation II Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet
Specifications
Weight	Without cover: Less than 3 lb (1.36 kg) (Small) 3 lb (1.36 kg) (Medium) 3.3 lb (1.50 kg) (Large) 3.8 lb (1.72 kg) (X-Large)[2]

2013 video by the U.S. Army, showcasing the ACH's protective capabilities

The ACH is currently in the process of being phased out and replaced by the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH), an improvement upon the ACH derived from its design; however, both the ACH and the newer ECH are being replaced by the Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS).

History

A soldier wearing the ACH in UCP pattern

A 4th Infantry Division soldier wearing an ACH helmet in OEF-CP camouflage

2000s

The Advanced Combat Helmet was first fielded beginning in 2003^{[n 1]} in limited numbers to eventually replace the PASGT helmet.^[7]

In 2006, 102,000 helmets were ordered from ArmorSource, of which 99,000 were delivered when the contract was fulfilled and properly closed.

In 2007, the Army introduced a ballistic "nape pad" that attaches to the ACH's rear suspension system. Of these, 430,000 were to be issued in the Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI).^[7]

Beginning in 2008, the Army's Program Executive Office Soldier outfitted soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division and 4th Infantry Division bound for Iraq with helmet-mounted sensors designed to gather data on head injuries (or traumatic brain injuries) caused during IED detonations. The data collected will help in the designing of improvements for the ACH's suspension and chin strap systems.^[8]

In May 2009, 55,000 of these were in storage and 44,000 were in use by U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel. The 44,000 helmets in use by service members were recalled by the U.S. Army in May 2010 due to potentially defective materials being used.^[9] Eventually, the contractor agreed to pay a $3 million fine, without admitting to any wrongdoing by the contractor.^[10]

In May 2009, 34,218 ACHs made by Gentex Corporation were recalled. Certain screws attaching the chinstrap and other parts to the helmet did not conform to specifications in the contract. The screws failed ballistics tests at extreme temperatures. Gentex alleges its subcontractor had fabricated the compliance certificates for the screws.^{[citation needed]}

Beginning in late 2009, an OEF-CP (MultiCam) helmet cover for the Advanced Combat Helmet was issued to soldiers deployed in Afghanistan.^[11]

2010s

On 7 March 2016, Armorsource LLC agreed to pay $3 million to settle False Claims Act allegations.^[12] Revision was awarded a contract for the ACH II contract.^[13]

The ACH and Lightweight Helmet (LWH) will eventually be replaced by the Enhanced Combat Helmet and Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS).

Design

The shape of the ACH is virtually identical to the MICH TC-2000. Compared to the PASGT helmet, the front brow is eliminated to improve upwards visibility and allow easier mounting of night-vision goggle brackets. The side brim has been raised to the point that the entire lower brim of the helmet is "flat" compared to the PASGT which curves upwards at the back. This is to allow greater compatibility with communications headsets and improve hearing when headsets are not used.

The ACH uses ballistic fiber such as kevlar and twaron.^[14]

In 2007, the Army developed and introduced a ballistic "nape pad" that attaches to the ACH's rear suspension system and coincided with the introduction of the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV). The pad reduces soldier deaths from fragmentation wounds to the neck and lower head.^[15][16]

The ACH comes from the factory painted sand tan, grey, black, or forest green (officially designated as Camouflage Green 383).^[17] It is often worn with cloth helmet covers in various camouflage patterns including Universal Camouflage Pattern, Operational Camouflage Pattern, and the USAF's ABU pattern. The helmet cover may also have small squares of infrared reflective material on the sides, top, and rear which illuminate when viewed through thermal imaging, allowing for friend or foe identification during combat. The helmet can also be fitted with an elastic band with a pair of glow in the dark "cat eye" patches, similar to those seen on the older PASGT helmet. A pair of Cordura straps can be mounted on the rear of the helmet to aid in the retention of protective goggles. The ACH is also commonly seen with a mounting bracket on the front for night vision devices. These brackets often come in one of two designs; a tan or black "tombstone" shape that attaches to the helmet with a single screw through the center, or a larger tan diamond-shaped mount that attaches with three screws, one at each corner. The ACH can also be fitted with Picatinny rails on the sides of the helmet for mounting flashlights or digital cameras.

Variants

Enhanced Combat Helmet (Australia)

Main article: Enhanced Combat Helmet (Australia)

Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet

The Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet Generation II (LW-ACH Gen II) weighs up to one pound less than the original ACH while offering the same ballistic protection.^[18][19][20] The ACH Gen II achieved an average of 22% in weight reduction from legacy helmets.^{[n 2][20]}

Users

•  Australia: The Australian Enhanced Combat Helmet is an ACH variant made by Rabintex, Israel^[21][22] used by all branches of Australian Defence Force and Specialist Response Group of the Australian Federal Police, replaced by the Tiered Combat Helmet.^{[23][24][25][26]}
•  Iraq: Used by Iraqi commandos.^[27]
•  Ireland: Rabintex 303 AU variant used by Irish Defence Force.^[28]
•  Israel: In use by Yamam.^[29]
•  Mexico: Used by the Mexican Army and SEDENA and SEMAR Special Operations Forces.^[30]
•  Morocco: Seen in use with Royal Moroccan Army infantry as of February 2024 (MKU Kavro MKH/ACH-7 version). Locally produced.^[31][32]
•  New Zealand: Australian Enhanced Combat Helmet made by Rabintex, Israel used by all branches of New Zealand Defence Force and Special Tactics Group of the New Zealand Police from 2009 to 2019.^[33]
•  Macedonia /  North Macedonia: ACH helmets made by Eurokompozit used by the Macedonian Police's Special Task Unit "Tigers" and Special Operations Regiment (North Macedonia).^[34]
•  South Korea: ACH worn by KATUSA units.^{[citation needed]}
•  United States: Used by the U.S. Army,^[3] pending replacement by the Integrated Head Protection System helmet.

Notes

1. Some sources report that the helmet was first fielded in 2003.
2. For both Large and XLarge the reduction is 24% over the legacy ACH, while for Medium and Small helmets, it is 21%. The average is 22%. For example, the XLarge legacy ACH is 3.88 lbs while the ACH Gen II in XL is 2.94 lbs, or a 24% weight reduction. (PEO Soldier Talks About The Advanced Combat Helmet Gen II | Soldier Systems Daily)