- Combat helmet
-
American Enhanced Combat Helmet
A combat helmet or battle helmet is a type of personal armor designed specifically to protect the head during combat. Helmets are among the oldest forms of personal protective equipment and are known to have been worn by the Akkadians/Sumerians in the 23rd century BC, Mycenaean Greeks since 17th century BC,[1][2] the Assyrians around 900 BC, ancient Greeks and Romans, throughout the Middle Ages, and up to the end of the 17th century by many combatants.[3] Their materials and construction became more advanced as weapons became more and more powerful. Initially constructed from leather and brass, and then bronze and iron during the Bronze and Iron Ages, they soon came to be made entirely from forged steel in many societies after about 950AD.
Mycenaean Greek boar tusk helmet, Mycenae, 14 century BCE
At that time, they were purely military equipment, protecting the head from cutting blows with swords, flying arrows, and low-velocity musketry.
Persian helmet (Sassanid army)
17th century Persian helmet (Safavid army)
6th century SpangenhelmMilitary use of helmets declined after 1670, and rifled firearms ended their use by foot soldiers after 1700.[3] By the 18th century, cavalry units often wore steel body cuirasses, and frequently metal skull protectors under their hats, called "secrets". The Prussian leather spiked helmet, or Pickelhaube, offered almost no protection from the increased use of artillery during World War I, and in 1916 was replaced by the German steel helmet, or Stahlhelm, and afterwards was worn merely for tradition.[4][5][6]
The Napoleonic era saw ornate cavalry helmets reintroduced for cuirassiers and dragoons in some armies; they continued to be used by French forces during World War I as late as 1915, when they were replaced by the new French Adrian helmet.[7] The French Adrian helmet was the first modern steel helmet[8][9] and was soon followed by the adoption of similar steel helmets by the other warring nations.
The French infantry M15 Adrian helmet was the first modern steel helmet.
US Marine Corps M1917 Brodie helmet.World War I and its increased use of artillery had renewed the need for steel helmets, which were quickly introduced by all the combatant nations for their foot soldiers. In the 20th century, such helmets offered protection for the head from shrapnel and fragments.[10]
Today's militaries often use high-quality helmets made of ballistic materials such as Kevlar and Aramid, which offer improved protection. Some helmets also have good non-ballistic protective qualities, though many do not.[11] Non-ballistic injuries may be caused by many things, such as concussive shock waves from explosions, physical attacks, motor vehicle accidents, or falls.[12]
Contents
History
Current
A modern German Army Gefechtshelm
United States soldier wearing the Advanced Combat Helmet.
A side view of a Vietnam-era M1 helmetModel Origins Users SPECTRA helmet 
Franceused by the French Army, Danish Army, United Nations peacekeeping forces[13] Modular Integrated Communications Helmet 
United Statesdeveloped for special operations use by the United States Army, it became the basis for the Advanced Combat Helmet which is now the standard issue helmet of the US Army.(ACH)[14][15][16] Lightweight Helmet United Statesused by United States Marine Corps[17] Mk. 6 Helmet 
United Kingdomused by British Armed Forces (all arms)[18]. being replaced by the Mk. 7 Helmet Mk. 7 Helmet United Kingdomused by British Armed forces BK-6 Helmet 
Croatiaused by the Croatian Army, Czech Army, Bulgarian Army, United Arab Emirates Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Mexican Army, Spanish Army, Turkish Army, Pakistan Army, Malaysian Army, Saudi Arabian Army, Finnish Army, National Army of Colombia, Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Italian Army, Military of Hungary, Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and by the police forces of the following countries: Croatia, UK, Spain, Republic of Macedonia, Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Italy, Ukraine and by Argentina and by the UN demining committee.[19] CCB (Combat Ballistic Helmet) 
BrazilUsed by the Brazilian Armed Forces in two versions: Polymer and Kevlar.[20] Enhanced Combat Helmet 
Australiaintroduced into Australian service in 2004, replacing the PASGT. CG634 
CanadaUsed by the Canadian Forces since 1998.[21][22] PASGT United StatesUsed by the USAF, but is being phased out by the ACH[23] US Air Force.[24] GOLFO 
ChileMilitary of Chile, Similar to the PASGT. QGF03 
People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Liberation Army QGF02 People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Liberation Army SSh68 
RussiaSteel helmet Russian Army[disambiguation needed 
] Russia6B7-1L RussiaKevlar helmet Russian army[disambiguation needed ] and Naval Infantry RussiaSTSh-81 RussiaTitanium helmet Russian Special Forces Russia Kolpak 2 RussiaKevlar helmet Russian army[disambiguation needed ]6B27 RussiaKevlar helmet Russian army[disambiguation needed ]6B28 RussiaKevlar helmet Russian army[disambiguation needed ]6B26 RussiaKevlar helmet Russian army[disambiguation needed ]6B7 RussiaKevlar helmet Russian army[disambiguation needed ]OR-201 
IsraelKevlar helmet used by the Israel Defense Forces, Some units of Special forces of Indian Army, Lebanon (Lebanese Forces, South Lebanon Army, Hezbollah, Lebanese Army), Honduran Army, Guatemalan Army, Peruvian Army, Romanian Army, Nicaragua (National Guard and Police), Portugal (Portuguese Marine Corps), Irish Defence Force, South African Defence Force, Sri Lanka (Army and Police), and other countries. KASDA IsraelKevlar helmet Israel Defense Forces, Guatemalan Army Gefechtshelm Schuberth B826 
Germanyused by the Bundeswehr, Swiss Army, Dutch Army, Estonian Defence Forces, Czech Army and other countries - PASGT type helmet MARTE 
SpainProtec type helmet replacing PASGT type helmets Sistema Compositi SEPT-2 PLUS 
Italyused by the Italian Armed Forces[25] Sistema Compositi SUPERUBOTT Italyused by Special Units (particularly GIS) of the Italian Law Enforcement community[26] Tecnoplast TD-71 Italyused by the Italian Law Enforcement community for riot control[27] Type 88 Helmet 
Japanused by the JSDF - PASGT type helmet Type 66 Helmet JapanVariant of M1 Helmet used by some elements of the JSDF Ground Forces M80 Helmet 
IraqPlastic and cloth helmet, limited use M87 
South AfricaKevlar helmet South African Army Hjälm 90 
Swedenused by the Swedish Armed Forces Composite Helmet K96 
Finlandused by the Finnish Defence Forces RBH303IE 
IrelandUsed by the Irish Defence Force Mile Dragić M-97 
SerbiaUsed by the Serbian Army - PASGT type helmet[28] Mile Dragić M-05 SerbiaUsed by Serbian Special Forces—MICH type helmet[29] World War I–Vietnam
Model Origins Users Adrian helmet France[7] used in France, 
Belgium, Japan, 
Serbia, 
Yugoslavia, United States, 
Soviet Union, Irish Free State, Italy, 
China, 
Manchukuo, 
RomaniaBrodie helmet United Kingdomused in United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Australia,[10] China, 
Estonia, BelgiumMk III Turtle helmet Canada, United KingdomM33 helmet Italy Italy, FinlandBulgarian M36 Helmet 
BulgariaBulgaria[30] M1 Helmet United StatesU.S.Army, U.S.Marine Corps; Canada,[31] China, Guatemalan, Philippines, BelgiumPickelhaube 
German Empire German EmpireSoviet helmets during World War II Soviet Union Soviet Union, People's Republic of China, 
North Korea, 
North Vietnam, Finland, Warsaw PactStahlhelm[4][5][6] German Empire Chile, China, Irish Free State, 
Nazi Germany, 
Poland, 
Weimar Republic, Estonia, FinlandHełm wz. 31 PolandPoland Medieval and early modern militaries
Model Origin Users Bascinet circa 1300 Europeans during the Hundred Years' War(1337 to 1453) amid the kingdoms of 
France, 
Aquitaine, 
Burgundy and 
EnglandBurgonet[32] circa 1600 Europeans, especially by militias of Poland & 
SwitzerlandCapeline late 16th century Europeans during 17th century, including the English Civil War in England & Thirty Years' War across the 
Holy Roman EmpireCervelliere late 13th century Christian Europeans in Crusades during the 14th century Great helm[33] 1189 Christian Europeans in Third Crusade; other Europeans until 1540 Kabuto circa 1600 Samurai especially during the 17th century of the Edo Period Tokugawa shogunate in Medieval Japan.Morion 16th and early 17th centuries Spanish (esp. associated with Conquistadores), Swiss and English Pickelhaube[4][5][6] 1842 especially by 
Prussia & German Empire and other Europeans until 1918; revived for 2006 FIFA World Cup in GermanyRaupenhelm circa 1800-1870 High crested leather helmet used primarily by 
Kingdom of Bavaria and 
WürttembergSallet circa 1450 used in Northern Europe & 
Hungary until mid-16th centurySpangenhelm[34] 5th century Central Asia, Near East & Europe; espec. by Scythians, Sarmatians, Persians, & Germans until 1000 Tarleton circa 1770-1800 Crested, peaked leather helmet used by cavalry and light infantry by Great Britain, France and USA in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.Qing parade helmet after 1655 till 1911 China See also headgear listing within Components of medieval armour.
Ancient militaries
Model Origin Users Attic helmet ancient Greeks Boar's tusk helmet 17th century B.C.E. Mycenaean Greeks until 10th century BCE Boeotian helmet ancient Greek cavalry Chalcidian helmet ancient Greeks Corinthian helmet[35] ancient Greeks Disc and stud helmet circa 400 BCE ancient Illyrians & Adriatic Veneti until 167 BCE Galea (helmet) ancient Romans Horned helmet circa 1000 BCE Celtic Europeans until 700 CE Illyrian type helmet ancient Greeks Kegelhelm ancient Greeks Negau helmet ancient Etruscans in Negau, Slovenia Montefortino helmet ancient Romans Pilos ancient Greeks Pot helmet ancient Illyrians Phrygian/Thracian helmet 400s BCE ancient Greeks in Thrace, Dacia, Italia & Hellenistic Europe until circa 200 CE Design
Padding
Cushioning is used to negate concussive injuries. Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory published a study in 2011 that concluded that the addition of an eighth of an inch of cushion decreased the impact force to the skull by 24%.[36]
References
- ^ Shaft Graves, Mycenae
- ^ Nobuo Komita, The Grave Circles at Mycenae and the Early Indo-Europeans
- ^ a b http://www.nps.gov/archive/colo/Jthanout/HisArmur.html
- ^ a b c German-Helmets.com
- ^ a b c Axis History Factbook: A brief history of the German Stahlhelm
- ^ a b c German Pickelhaube Spiked Helmet Evolution Guide
- ^ a b Heaumes Page
- ^ Military Trader
- ^ Military headgears
- ^ a b Index CEF Helmets
- ^ Kevlar Pasgt Helmet
- ^ http://www.operation-helmet.org
- ^ MSA: Casques Militaires
- ^ Advanced Combat Helmet ( ACH )
- ^ Advanced Combat Helmet ACH
- ^ US Military Taking Delivery of Advanced Combat Helmets
- ^ The Warrior
- ^ PLCE and Body Armour
- ^ Šestan - Bush d.o.o. (Ltd)
- ^ http://www.grupoinbra.com.br/InbraTextil/ProdutosdeSeguranca/CapacetesEmFibra.aspx
- ^ Canadian Military Police Virtual Museum
- ^ Canada
- ^ http://www.operation-helmet.org/usaf.html
- ^ Department Of The Air Force
- ^ Sistema Compositi SEPT-2 PLUS helmet
- ^ Sistema Compositi SUPERUBOTT helmet
- ^ Tecnoplast TD-71 riot control helmet
- ^ Mile Dragić Production M-97S/P
- ^ Mile Dragić Production M-05S/P
- ^ Българските Военни Каски
- ^ Home of the M-1 Helmet
- ^ myArmoury.com: The Burgonet
- ^ 75years - Great Helms
- ^ Simon Coupland, "Carolingian Arms and Armor in the Ninth Century", (accessed 10 March 2006).
- ^ lookup=Hdt.+4.180.1 Herodotus, The Histories (ed. A. D. Godley)
- ^ regg Zoroya (17). "Larger helmet could guard against brain injury to troops". USA TODAY. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-04-17-army-helmets-brain-injury.htm. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
External links
Categories:- Combat helmets
- Headgear
- Medieval helmets
- Military uniforms
- Personal armour
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