SSh-68
{{Short description|Russian and Soviet steel combat helmet}}
{{Infobox military gear
| name = SSh-68
| image = SSh-68.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = SSh-68 helmet
| origin = Soviet Union
| type = Combat Helmet
| service =
| used_by = See Users
| wars = Sino-Vietnamese War
Soviet-Afghan War
1982 Lebanon War
First Nagorno-Karabakh War
Georgian Civil War
Transnistria War
War in Abkhazia
Tajikistani Civil War
East Prigorodny Conflict
First Chechen War
War of Dagestan
Second Chechen War
Russo-Georgian War
War in Donbas
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
| designer =
| design_date = 1968
| manufacturer =
| unit_cost =
| production_date = 1968-present
| number =
| variants = See Variants
| spec_label =
| weight =
| length =
| width =
| height =
| diameter =
}}
The SSh-68 (Russian: СШ-68 [стальной шлем образца 1968 года/stalnoy shlyem], English: SSh-68 steel helmet model 1968) - is a steel combat helmet of the Soviet and then Russian Armed Forces. The SSh-68 is a further development of the SSh-60 helmet. It differs primarily in its greater strength, greater front slope of the dome and the shorter outer edge.{{Cite web|url=http://ultimatehistoryproject.com/headstrong.html|title=Headstrong|access-date=2020-02-21|archive-date=2020-02-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221031832/http://ultimatehistoryproject.com/headstrong.html|url-status=live}} It is usually painted in dark green.Sergey Monetchikov. Uniforms: From helmet to the steel helmet Magazine "Big Brother», № 6, June 2009 https://www.bratishka.ru/archiv/2009/6/2009_6_14.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926121420/http://www.bratishka.ru/archiv/2009/6/2009_6_14.php |date=2018-09-26 }}
The SSh-68 was used by the armed forces of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies, and others. Today, it is still in service in most countries of the CIS, as well as Vietnam and Afghanistan.{{Cite news|url=https://www.militarytrader.com/militaria-collectibles/from-behind-the-iron-curtain-communist-bloc-helmets|title=From Behind the Iron Curtain: Communist Bloc Helmets|newspaper=Military Trader/Vehicles |access-date=2020-02-21|archive-date=2022-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209095339/https://www.militarytrader.com/militaria-collectibles/from-behind-the-iron-curtain-communist-bloc-helmets|url-status=live}}
History
Due to the introduction of improved helmets starting with the original 6B7, the SSh-68 was progressively withdrawn from service. In the Russian Armed Forces, the final examples are being gradually replaced by the newer 6B7-1M and 6B47 helmets.
Design
The helmet weighs 1,300 grams (with leatherette balaclavas - 1,500 grams). SSh-68 provides protection from impact shock (machetes, etc.), and steel fragments (shrapnel) weighing 1.0 grams at speeds up to 250 m/s.Dmitri Mamontov. Cast iron forehead: Keep your head "Popular Mechanics", February 2007 http://www.popmech.ru/article/1197-chugunnyiy-lob/page/1/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010062140/http://www.popmech.ru/article/1197-chugunnyiy-lob/page/1/ |date=2013-10-10 }} The SSh-68 is not meant to protect against bullets.
=Sizing=
SSh-68 are available in three different sizes, P1, P2, and P3. P1 (small) is good to about a 58 head, size 2 (medium) is between about 59 and 61 and size 3 (Large to extra large) is from 61 up. SSh-68s are not sized as NATO helmets are since they are designed to be able to adjust for soldiers to wear an Ushanka or other heavy hat underneath it during the winter.
Helmet sizes 1, 2, and 3 of the standard steel variant with the leatherette liner weighs 1.3 kg,{{Cite web |title=Original USSR Military Soviet Army SSh 68 Type Steel Helmet Russian NOS |url=https://www.ebay.ca/itm/224260164705 |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=eBay |language=en-US}}{{better source|date=December 2023}} 1.3 kg,{{Cite web |title=Original USSR Military Soviet Army Helmet SSh 68 Type Steel Size 2 Russian NOS |url=https://www.ebay.ca/itm/224270347966 |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=eBay |language=en-US}}{{better source|date=December 2023}} and 1.32 kg{{Cite web |title=New Original USSR Military Soviet Army Helmet SSh 68 Type Steel Size 3 Big |url=https://www.ebay.ca/itm/225127357499 |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=eBay |language=en-US}}{{better source|date=December 2023}} respectively.
Dimensions
Variants
File:Russian soldier 2001.jpg soldier wearing an upgraded SSh-68 with an added inner Kevlar shell in 2001]]
- SSh-68M/СШ-68М (GRAU index - 6B14) - A modernization of SSh-68 by installing an aramid fiber liner, called SVM, inside the helmet, as well as modern harness belt and restraint systems. As a result, the mass of the helmet is increased to 1.9 kg. The helmet is designed by "Special equipment and communication", for the personnel of the Russian Ministry of the Interior Internal Troops. The SSh-68M provides head protection of class 1 (pistol and revolver bullets).NL-68M, a protective helmet of steel upgraded {{cite web |url=http://www.arms-expo.ru/049051057048124054056053.html |title=СШ-68М, шлем защитный стальной модернизированный — ОРУЖИЕ РОССИИ, Информационное агентство |access-date=2012-07-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208060112/http://www.arms-expo.ru/049051057048124054056053.html |archive-date=2012-12-08 }} It's manufactured by NII Stali.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gostak.co.uk/composites/russia/|title=Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets RUSSIA, RUSSIAN helmet, Kevlar helmet|access-date=2020-02-21|archive-date=2022-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002034102/http://www.gostak.co.uk/composites/russia/|url-status=live}}
- SSh-68N "blank"/Заготовка (Grau index - 6B14) - Modernization of SSh-68 by increasing the thickness of the aramid membrane inside the helmet, as well as by the installation of modern harness belt and restraint systems. As a result, the mass of the helmet is increased to 2 kg. This helmet is designed for the personnel of the Russian armed forces. The helmet protects the head in class 1 (9×18mm Makarov pistol and revolver bullets), as well as from fragments of steel of spherical mass of 1.1 g (6.3 mm diameter of fragment) up to 400 m/s.upgraded bulletproof helmet NL-68N "blank" http://shooter.com.ua/zashhita/966-modernezirovannyj-pulestojkij-shlem-ssh-68n-zagotovka.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101045225/http://shooter.com.ua/zashhita/966-modernezirovannyj-pulestojkij-shlem-ssh-68n-zagotovka.html |date=2012-11-01 }}
Users
=Current=
File:Syrian team with Milan.jpg commandos wearing SSh-68s while operating a MILAN ATGM]]
- {{ANG}}
- {{ARM}}
- {{AZE}}{{Cite web |url=http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/azerbeijan-ssh68.html |title=Azerbeijan Ssh68 |access-date=2019-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426112253/http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/azerbeijan-ssh68.html |archive-date=2019-04-26 |url-status=live }}
- {{BLR}}
- {{CUB}}
- {{EGY}}
- {{KAZ}}{{cite web |title=Войско казахстана - фото |url=https://bangkokbook.ru/foto/vojsko-kazahstana.html |website=bangkokbook.ru |access-date=3 February 2024}}
- {{MLD}}
- {{PHL}} − Donations made from Moscow in October 2017{{Cite web|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1013838|title=Equipment donation shows deepening PH-Russia ties|website=Philippine News Agency|access-date=2021-07-02|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181930/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1013838|url-status=live}}
- {{RUS}} − Limited numbers still in service as of 2022{{Cite web|url=https://kula-tactical.com/helmets-used-by-russian-army|title=What Helmets Does The Russian Army Use? | Kula Tactical}}
- {{TKM}}{{cite web |url=https://www.turkmenistan.ru/ru/sites/turkmenistan.ru.ru/files/imagecache/GalleryFullView/Магадов-271010-(19).jpg | title= Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkmenistan}}
- {{UKR}}{{Cite web |url=http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/ukraine-ssh68.html |title=Ukraine Ssh68 |access-date=2019-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426113839/http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/ukraine-ssh68.html |archive-date=2019-04-26 |url-status=live }}
- {{UZB}}
- {{VIE}}{{Cite web|url=http://netnews.vn/Mu-chong-dan-cua-Quan-doi-Viet-Nam-chiu-duoc-dan-9mm-quan-su-150-0-1162817.html|title=Mũ chống đạn của Quân đội Việt Nam chịu được đạn 9mm|website=netnews.vn|date=13 June 2016|access-date=2019-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416202353/http://netnews.vn/Mu-chong-dan-cua-Quan-doi-Viet-Nam-chiu-duoc-dan-9mm-quan-su-150-0-1162817.html|archive-date=2019-04-16|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/vietnam-ssh60.html|title=Vietnam Ssh60|access-date=2020-02-21|archive-date=2021-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211195604/http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/vietnam-ssh60.html|url-status=live}}
=Former=
- {{flag|Afghanistan|1980}}
- {{flag|Artsakh}}
- {{flag|Georgia|1990}} − Used in the 1990s, replaced by more modern Kevlar helmets{{sfn|Galeotti|2023|page=8}}
- {{Flag|Lithuania|1988}}{{Cite web|url=http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/lithuania-ssh68.html|title=Lithuania Ssh68|access-date=2020-02-21|archive-date=2021-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211195323/http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/lithuania-ssh68.html|url-status=live}}
- {{MGL}}{{Cite web|url=http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/mongolia-ssh68.html|title=Mongolia Ssh68|access-date=2020-02-21|archive-date=2022-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129001325/http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/mongolia-ssh68.html|url-status=live}}
- {{NIC}}{{Cite web|url=http://mahargpress.com/military-helmets/chapters-summaries/central-america/nicaragua/|title=Nicaragua|access-date=2020-02-21|archive-date=2017-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921193644/http://mahargpress.com/military-helmets/chapters-summaries/central-america/nicaragua/|url-status=live}}
- {{flag|North Vietnam}}
- {{SYR}}{{Cite web |url=http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/syria-ssh68.html |title=Syria Ssh68 |access-date=2023-11-09 |archive-date=2013-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330005043/http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/syria-ssh68.html |url-status=live }}
- {{USSR}}
=States with limited recognition=
- {{flag|South Ossetia}}{{sfn|Galeotti|2023|page=32}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book |last1=Galeotti |first1=Mark |author1-link=Mark Galeotti |title=Russia's Five-Day War: The invasion of Georgia, August 2008 |date=2023 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4728-5097-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EeaeEAAAQBAJ |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|SSh-68}}
- [http://attack.kiev.ua/product/kaski-i-shlemy/kaska-ssh-68 Каска СШ-68] (Ukrainian)
- [http://www.npo-sm.ru/info/ind2.html Who needs a Steel helmet?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007124652/http://www.npo-sm.ru/info/ind2.html |date=2008-10-07 }} (Russian)
{{helmets}}
{{Soviet and Russian soldier equipment}}
Category:Combat helmets of Russia