Advanced Combat Helmet

Image:ACH 005.jpg pattern]]

Image:MultiCam ACU.jpg soldier wearing an ACH helmet in OEF-CP camouflage]]

The Advanced Combat Helmet was first fielded beginning in 2003Some sources report that the helmet was first fielded in 2003. in limited numbers to eventually replace the PASGT helmet.{{Cite web|url=https://olive-drab.com/od_soldiers_gear_ach_helmet.php|title=Advanced Combat Helmet ACH|website=olive-drab.com|accessdate=9 April 2023}}

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).

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.{{Cite web |date=3 June 2008 |title=Helmet Sensors, Improved Armor Helping Soldier Survivability |url=https://www.army.mil/article/9638/helmet_sensors_improved_armor_helping_soldier_survivability |accessdate=9 April 2023 |website=www.army.mil}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Lamothe |first=Dan |date=2021-10-27 |title=Inmates made defective combat helmets for U.S. troops — and no one was prosecuted |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/08/17/inmates-made-defective-combat-helmets-for-u-s-troops-and-no-one-was-prosecuted/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} Eventually, the contractor agreed to pay a $3 million fine, without admitting to any wrongdoing by the contractor.{{Cite web|title=Report Details Combat Helmet Maker's Alleged Shoddy Manufacturing |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/report-details-combat-helmet-makers-alleged-shoddy-manufacturing/story?id=41460916 |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=ABC News |language=en}}

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|date=October 2017}}

Beginning in late 2009, an OEF-CP (MultiCam) helmet cover for the Advanced Combat Helmet was issued to soldiers deployed in Afghanistan.{{cite web |title=New uniform for OEF protects Soldiers, hides them better |url=https://www.army.mil/article/43570/new-uniform-for-oef-protects-soldiers-hides-them-better/ |access-date=31 January 2011 |author=C. Todd Lopez |date=12 August 2010 |quote=Gear being fielded to Soldiers with the new pattern includes a cover for the Advanced Combat Helmet, the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System, the Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniform, the Improved Outer Tactical Vest, both the sun hat and patrol cap, name and service tapes for the FR ACU, and multiple pieces of modular lightweight load-carrying equipment (MOLLE). |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110204103529/http%3A//www%2Earmy%2Emil/%2Dnews/2010/08/12/43570%2Dnew%2Duniform%2Dfor%2Doef%2Dprotects%2Dsoldiers%2Dhides%2Dthem%2Dbetter/ |archive-date= February 4, 2011 | url-status= live}}

On 7 March 2016, Armorsource LLC agreed to pay $3 million to settle False Claims Act allegations.{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/defense-contractor-armorsource-llc-agrees-pay-3-million-settle-false-claims-act-allegations|title=Defense Contractor Armorsource LLC Agrees to Pay $3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations|website=www.justice.gov|date=2016-03-07}} Revision was awarded a contract for the ACH II contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.revisionmilitary.com/en/revision-awarded-u.s.-army-next-generation-ach-helmet-contract-1|title=Revision Awarded U.S. Army Next-Generation ACH Helmet Contract|website=www.revisionmilitary.com}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

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

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.{{cite web|title=Army's new plastic helmet tops Kevlar ACH|url=http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/08/army_helmets_083109w/|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090902223230/http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/08/army_helmets_083109w/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 September 2009|publisher=Gannett Government Media Corporation|access-date=31 January 2011|author1=Matthew Cox|author2=Dan Lamothe|date=31 August 2009}}

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.{{cite web|title=New helmet pad protects from fragments|url=http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/02/ATnewhelmetpads070228/|publisher=Gannett Government Media Corporation|access-date=31 January 2011|author=Matthew Cox|date=28 February 2007}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/army-adding-neck-pad-to-body-armor-1.61148|title=Army adding neck pad to body armor|website=Stars and Stripes}}

The ACH comes from the factory painted sand tan, grey, black, or forest green (officially designated as Camouflage Green 383).{{Cite web |date=October 2005 |orig-date=Date explanation: The portfolio's cover is dated 'October 2005'. The portfolio's URL has '06' in it. (Tl;dr: the url's "06" number indicates FY 2006, which starts October 2005). "2006" in URL indicates that the portfolio was published at the start of FY 2006, (on 1 October 2005), aka the month and year of the portfolio's cover. The portfolio's purpose is to be a both a quick reference and an educational tool, for equipment available for utilization in the current fiscal year (2006). FY 2006 ended on 30 September 2006, and FY 2007 began the following day; on 1 October 2006. Around this time, the next edition (4th) of the PEO Soldier portfolio would have been published and used in the subsequent fiscal year |title=PM Soldier Equipment - Helmets {{!}} PEO Soldier Portfolio |url=https://peosoldier.army.mil/pdfs/peoportfolio06.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051018144114/https://peosoldier.army.mil/pdfs/peoportfolio06.pdf |archive-date=18 October 2005 |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=peosoldier.army.mil |publisher=PEO Soldier, Fort Belvoir, VA |pages=131, pdf 140 |quote=[(___excerpt 1_): "The (...) Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) comes in two shell sizes and two pad sizes."(_end_)]; [(___excerpt 2_): "The helmet shell is Aramid fabric in camouflage green 383."(end)]; [(___entire quote in full): "The modular Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) comes in two shell sizes and two pad sizes. The modular pads of the suspension system offer improved stability and physical comfort. The edge of the ACH shell is finished with a rubber trim. The cotton/polyester chin strap, a four-point design, allows for quick adjustment for head size and includes a neck cushion for improved comfort and stability. The helmet shell is Aramid fabric in camouflage green 383. It weighs between 3 and 3.25 pounds, depending upon size, and the helmet cover is available in woodland or desert camouflage pattern.}} 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.

{{main|Enhanced Combat Helmet (Australia)}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Published |date=2017-11-28 |title=Army Vice Chief Focused on Lighter Soldier Kit |url=https://www.military.com/kitup/2015/06/army-vice-chief-focused-lighter.html |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Military.com |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.revisionmilitary.com/en/the-first-significant-advancement-in-ach-technology-in-15-years-revisions-viper-p4-advanced-combat-helmet-system|title=The First Significant Advancement in ACH Technology in 15 Years: Revision's Batlskin Viper P4 Advanced Combat Helmet System|website=www.revisionmilitary.com}}{{Cite web |title=PEO Soldier Talks About The Advanced Combat Helmet Gen II {{!}} Soldier Systems Daily |url=https://soldiersystems.net/2017/03/30/peo-soldier-talks-helmets/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402111627/https://soldiersystems.net/2017/03/30/peo-soldier-talks-helmets/ |archive-date=2 April 2017 |access-date=3 May 2025 |website=soldiersystems.net}} The ACH Gen II achieved an average of 22% in weight reduction from legacy helmets.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)

• {{flag|Australia}}: The Australian Enhanced Combat Helmet is an ACH variant made by Rabintex, Israel{{cite web |url=http://www.rabintex.com/ProductView.asp?ID=8 |title=Rabintex Industries Ltd |website=www.rabintex.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715141813/http://www.rabintex.com/ProductView.asp?ID=8 |archive-date=15 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.pointtrading.com/uploads/product_pdf/RBH%20303%20AU%20Brochure%20Feb%202011.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2019-12-10 |archive-date=2014-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127062610/http://www.pointtrading.com/uploads/product_pdf/RBH%20303%20AU%20Brochure%20Feb%202011.pdf |url-status=dead }} used by all branches of Australian Defence Force and Specialist Response Group of the Australian Federal Police, replaced by the Tiered Combat Helmet.{{Cite web|url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2020/03/24/sord-to-develop-concussion-reduction-helmet-for-australian-army/|title = SORD to Develop Concussion Reduction Helmet for Australian Army|date = 24 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teamwendy.com/about/media-kit/press-releases/december-2015/australian-defense-dorce-selects-team-wendy-exfil|title=Australian Defense Force selects Team Wendy® EXFIL® Ballistic Helmet|date=December 19, 2015|access-date=October 2, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2021-07-27/australias-first-combat-helmet-upgrade-program-starts-victoria|title=Australia's first combat helmet upgrade program starts in Victoria|date=27 July 2021|access-date=2 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-work/equipment-uniforms/uniforms/soldiers-combat-ensemble|title=Soldier's Combat Ensemble|access-date=Oct 2, 2022}}
• {{flag|Iraq}}: Used by Iraqi commandos.{{cite web|url=http://armamentresearch.com/isof-arms-equipment-part-1-personal-equipment/|title=ISOF Arms & Equipment Part 1 – Personal Equipment |work= Armament Research Services|date=27 November 2016}}
• {{flag|Ireland}}: Rabintex 303 AU variant used by Irish Defence Force.{{cite web |title=Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets IRELAND, IRISH helmet, Kevlar helmet |url=http://www.gostak.co.uk/composites/ireland/ |access-date=18 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510122001/http://www.gostak.co.uk/composites/ireland/ |archive-date=10 May 2014 |url-status=live}}
• {{flag|Israel}}: In use by Yamam.{{cite web |url=http://isayeret.com/content/gear/tactical/helmets/overview.shtml |title=Archived copy |website=isayeret.com |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913220617/http://isayeret.com/content/gear/tactical/helmets/overview.shtml |archive-date=13 September 2016 |url-status=dead}}
• {{flag|Mexico}}: Used by the Mexican Army and SEDENA and SEMAR Special Operations Forces.{{cite web|url=https://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/militares-cambian-de-piel-tendran-uniformes-mas-ligeros-y-seguros/1329876|title=Militares cambian de piel; tendrán uniformes más ligeros y seguros|date=August 12, 2019|website=Excélsior}}
• {{flag|Morocco}}: Seen in use with Royal Moroccan Army infantry as of February 2024 (MKU Kavro MKH/ACH-7 version). Locally produced.{{Cite web |title=captur10 |url=https://i.servimg.com/u/f68/19/59/87/48/captur10.jpg |access-date=September 2, 2024 |website=i.servimg.com}}{{better source needed|date=March 2025}}{{Cite web |title=captur11 |url=https://i.servimg.com/u/f68/19/59/87/48/captur11.jpg |access-date=September 2, 2024 |website=i.servimg.com}}{{better source needed|date=March 2025}}
• {{flag|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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/one-force/oneforceoct09.pdf |title=One Force Magazine issue #3 |date=2009 |website=www.nzdf.mil.nz |access-date=2019-10-10}}
• {{flag|Macedonia}} / {{MKD}}: ACH helmets made by Eurokompozit used by the Macedonian Police's Special Task Unit "Tigers" and Special Operations Regiment (North Macedonia).{{cite web|url=https://specijalne-jedinice.com/Inostranstvo/Region/Jedinica-za-specijalne-zadatke-Tigrovi-Republike-Makedonije-English.html#sthash.7mmyQEDa.dpbs|title=Specijalne-jedinice.com - Special Task Unit "Tiger" of the Republic Macedonia|website=specijalne-jedinice.com|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-date=2018-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822213914/https://specijalne-jedinice.com/Inostranstvo/Region/Jedinica-za-specijalne-zadatke-Tigrovi-Republike-Makedonije-English.html#sthash.7mmyQEDa.dpbs|url-status=dead}}
• {{flag|Republic of Korea}}: ACH worn by KATUSA units.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}
• {{flag|United States}}: Used by the U.S. Army, pending replacement by the Integrated Head Protection System helmet.

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.gentexcorp.com/shopaviationhelmets/ground-dismounted/advanced-combat-helmet-ach Official ACH webpage from Gentex] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205101411/http://www.gentexcorp.com/shopaviationhelmets/ground-dismounted/advanced-combat-helmet-ach |date=2017-02-05 }}

{{US Army uniforms}}

{{helmets}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Advanced Combat Helmet}}

Category:Combat helmets of the United States

Category:United States Army equipment

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s