New shape helmet from Revision

by Paolo Valpolini

With its Advanced Combat Helmet Generation II (ACH Gen II) currently in the FAT phase[1] (first Article Testing) with the US military following the award of the contract in March 2017, Revision is looking at new markets. The US Army signed a five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity helmet contract with a maximum value of $98,111,803 and estimated completion date of March 6, 2022, however the shift from aramid to UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), which allowed a weight reduction of at least 15% compared to the previous ACH while keeping the same protection level in terms of V₅₀ led to the interest from many export customers. It is to note that once in a while the US was not the first nation to shift to the new technology, the United Kingdom, Norway and Denmark having already adopted HMPWE helmets.

Considering that the average saving in terms of weight is of around 24% (L and XL sizes), which means some 220 grams on an M-size helmet, many NATO countries, and not only, are launching acquisition programmes for new helmets, thus Revision is getting ready to answer them adding a product with a new shape as an alternative to the US one, commercially known as Batlskin Viper P4, while keeping the same performances, i.e. a minimum V₅₀ of 1,280 m/s against a 2 grain RCC (Right Circular Cylinder) and a minimum V₅₀ of 670 m/s against a 17 grains FSP (Fragment Simulating Projectile); in fact the Revision helmet considerably exceeds those limits, the V₅₀ against the FSP being over 730 m/s. The shape difference of the new mode, which is still awaiting a commercial name, can be seen especially from the side, the cut being higher than that of the US Army helmet. As EDR understood the new helmet should already have bagged an export order.

Beside the new helmet Revision was also exhibiting the latest iteration of its Caiman ballistic helmet system, mostly devoted to special operators, with a V₅₀ of 1,242 m/s against a 2 grain RCC (Right Circular Cylinder) and a V₅₀ of 670 m/s against a 17 grains FSP, the full system weight being of less than 1,150 grams for the Medium size helmet.

[1] Production testing that is planned, conducted, and monitored by the materiel developer. FAT includes pre-production and initial production testing conducted to ensure that the contractor can furnish a product that meets the established technical criteria.