"It Looks Like The British Army is Adopting The Star Wars" Topic

…Stormtroopers Battle Helmet-

"It may look more like something out of the Star Wars films – but this is the new face of the British infantryman.
The revolutionary robotic anti-ballistic helmet weighing under 3lbs provides unprecedented protection for soldiers and will be in service on the battlefields for UK troops this September.

It replaces the old ‘pudding bowl' style helmet and will feature a mouth protector and ear protection to shield the user from explosions while allowing human voices to be heard clearly.

A video camera capable of sending images from the frontline back to commanders, allowing them to monitor tactics and powerful torches, feature on either side…"

Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

What they need is skull visors.

I wonder if they can hear as well as without the helmets on?

Looks more like a GZG NSL helmet design to me, and/or a full-face BMW-style, motorcycle helmet.

I've been wondering for a while now why this style of helmet hasn't been adopted, so it is good to see it being so. No doubt, it will provide a lot more protection to the users.

Could use a digital, heads-up, or visor display, for tactical maps, communications, intel updates, etc., but no doubt, those will be coming shortly too.

… well the UK already has Skynet. Not yet self aware, that I know of …

… well the UK already has Skynet. Not yet self aware, that I know of.

One of the reasons for not wearing a full face helmet (he says, as a motorcyclist) is that it makes looking at things on your chest really difficult: looking down – or even tilting your head down – past the chin guard to do just minor things (like zip up my jacket) is sometimes very problematic.

For fifteen years or so I have worn a succession of flip fronted helmets – chin guard when I need it, not when I don't, like this one:

I think it looks a good idea in general but, unless there's a system like that, I think wearing the new military helmet, as described, is going to be very frustrating for the user…

John T

Well the face bar is detachable, zip up ,get yo kit right then but on the face bar. Face bar, make it hollow and put slots for mini booze bottles and you really will have a face bar. : )

Needs an AC unit for cooling, and some cool flames painted on the side

Missing the little white wings either side too……..

Looks like it would be really hot to wear, even in a cold environment.

Wonder how long it take to get get off in a NBC attack before you can don your respirator.

What happen's to the poor Radio operator, wheres his headset going to fit?

How do you take a swig from your water bottle?

How long before the camera/torch gets broken or snaps off or for that matter the "Torch" itself?.

the more techie something is the more likely it will break or snap in combat.

I once had one of my operators come back for a replacement "vehicle mounted" pack frame for a PRC 351, (which are heavier and more robust than normal 351 frames) which he had managed to snap the frame on??

Imagine what damage your humble squaddie can do to this..

I still believe "Fisher Price" should make military equipment, especially if they can design a child's CD player that can be thrown downstairs and survive..

At the bottom of article was this comment..

We where doing this back in the 80's through people such as "Silverman's", nice to see nothing ever changes..

In 2003, it was reported that more than half of the soldiers in the British Army had bought their own kit because they believed the standard-issue uniform was inadequate.
Some 55 per cent of troops and 42 per cent of officers said they had to pay mail-order services or army-surplus stores out of their own pockets.
They mainly bought boots, combat trousers, jackets, sleeping bags, torches, head protection and load-carrying equipment including day sacks and chest-webbing.

Is this part of the 'Army 2020' revamp? and when will the politicians ask us to call the army the 'Imperial Guard';) and do they think giving more 'survival' kit will increase numbers wanting to join the army?

Just shout gas-gas-gas and see how long it takes to get gas mask on. After donning gas mask let's see you get new helmet back on.

I wouldn't want to be deprived of my listening ability while in the bush, either. Half the time spent patrolling is doing listening halts to see if anyone's tracking you.

And also, there's this:

Does this mean PM Cameron is a Sith Lord……Darth Tory? ( cue the music..)

We're slipping – nearly 20 posts and not one "the Empire strikes back" comment.

I wonder if they can hear as well as without the helmets on?

I'd assume that the helmet has electronic ear protection built-in (if it doesn't, it needs to be). Hopefully with a jack so you can plug in your iPod, but something that will limit what goes into your ears to about 85 decibels, and amplify the sounds around you.

Good luck getting a good cheek weld to your rifle with that silly mask.

The look almost identical to the US ACH upgrades, made by Revision. We call it Batlskin. Everyone who wears it hates it.

I'd only recommend it for guys firing turret weapons.

Heads-up display and a camera on the weapon will fix the cheek weld problem.

Sufficient practice may deal with it, too.

Or there's a re-design of the maxillofacial shield needed.