Ballistic helmets

Key words ballistic helmets, materials, manufacturing, modelling. 

The modem designs of ballistic helmets typically used by the American forces (and some adopted by other military forces) can be categorized into several helmet classes as follows ... 

There are some cormnon misconceptions regarding combat helmet testing. One common misconception concerns the existence of National Institute of Justice (NIJ)-certified Level IDA helmets. The Nil Standard for Ballistic Helmets 0106.1 only certifies up to Level II for ballistic-type helmets. The only comprehensive Level IIIA testing protocol for helmets in the LIS is the H. P. White Helmet Test Procedure (HPW-TP-0401.01B). Additionally, the NIJ Standard does not provide arty information on how to measure blunt trauma deformation a standard operatingprocedure to assess trauma-related injury to the wearer. Testing protocols of NIJ Standard 0106.01 are employed by many manufacturers for testing helmets up to Level IDA (Nielsen, 2008 Scheetz et al., 1973). 

Another standard test for ballistic helmet is water immersion testing (MIL-H-4409A- Para 4.5.1). Normally the helmet is immersed in tap water at 16 to H°C for a minimum of 16 hours. At the end of this time, the helmet is removed and allowed to air dry for 12 hours minimum, or force air dried for six hours minimum under the same temperature conditions. The coating on the outside surface of the helmet is then examined for any evidence of softening, blistering or peeling. 

Aare, M., Kleiven, S. Evaluation of head response to ballistic helmet impacts using the finite element method. International Journal of Impact Engineering 2007 34 596-608. 

Newman, J. A. Motorcycle Helmets Their Limits of Performance . IRCOBI Conference. Nielsen, E. MICH-Style Ballistic Helmet Round-Up. Tactical Response Magazine, 2008 September. 

White, M. R. Method Of Making Ballistic Helmet , patent 4778638,30 October 1986. 

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