Toy Soldier’s US Army Advance Combat Helmet

Figure 1, Toy Soldier Advance Combat Helmet w/Digital-Woodland Cover

Background

The Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) is the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH) without the communications components. MICH is a modular helmet system that provides ballistic, fragmentation, aural and impact protection, while being night vision, communications and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) equipment compatible. The MICH is intended to replace standard government and commercial helmets, communications and aural protection items used by Special Forces. MICH was under development for four years before it was fielded to the Special Operations Command in January 2001.

Figure 2, ACH w/Woodland Cover

While United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Soldiers pioneered use of the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet, which the Advanced Combat Helmet is based on, many special operations support Soldiers had not received either helmet as of early 2005. With the Army's Rapid Fielding Initiative, brigade combat teams are being issued some of the same equipment they use.

The Army adopted the ACH in 2002 and is one of the fourteen Rapid Fielding Initiative items developed in 2004 for deploying soldiers on their way to Iraq or Afghanistan. The ACH is made of a new type of Kevlar that provides improved ballistic and impact protection. Tests show it will withstand a hit from a 9mm round at close range, a test the Personnel Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT) would fail. The ACH as a platform is compatible with standard and Special Operations Forces (SOF)-unique clothing, the current night vision devices, communications packages, and NBC defense (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) equipment, although some special mounting kits are needed to achieve compatibility.  There are several vendors who make this new and improved Kevlar helmet.  Among them is a company by the name of Gentex Corp., Carbondale, Pa. and Specialty Defense Systems (SDS) of Dunmore, Pa. 

The ACH is smaller and 3.5 lbs lighter then the PASGT model and is cushioned on the inside, which sits more comfortably on a soldier’s head.  With the former PASGT helmet, soldiers have complained that when they are lying on their stomachs firing rifles, their body armor rides up, tipping their helmet over their eyes.  It also has a different suspension system inside that allows a soldier to fight more effectively when wearing body armor.  The ACH's retention / suspension system provides unsurpassed balance, stability, and comfort. This system provides for proper size, fit, and ventilation. The ACH’s pad suspension system provides superior impact protection throughout all operational scenarios, including static-line airborne operations. 

Figure 3, ACH and ACU Digital-Woodland

The Army's new Advanced Combat Helmet has been criticized because it contains less covering on the back and side of the head. In the days of traditional infantry fighting, when most fire came from the front, that would be fine. But in Iraq, fire from snipers and roadside bombs comes from all directions. The battle lines are blurry as the pixellized cammo patterns.  The helmets the company manufactured consisted of three basic components: a sewn inner liner, ballistic shell, and impact.  The Marine Corps will not adopt the ACH. They will replace their PASGT helmets with a new model in the same Kraut shape but with the improved Kevlar material.

Product Description:

Unlike its 1-to-1 counterpart, which consisted of The ACH has five basic components: The helmet shell, the pad suspension system, the retention system (chinstrap/nape strap), helmet cover, and eye strap.  The TS ACH consisted of a digital woodland cloth helmet cover, ballistic shell, the pad suspension system, and the retention system (chinstrap/nape strap).  TS have also provided a Night Vision Goggle (NVG) mount that must be secured to the helmet by the modeler.

Figure 4, TS ACH w/Digital-Woodland Cover Top View

The components of the TS ACH are of good quality and collectors, will be very happy with the product.  The helmet shell is made of the standard plastic consistent with that used in the company’s PASGT Kevlar and MICH helmets lines.  The ACH is of sufficient size to fit a variety of 1:6 head sculpts weather they are clean shaving or have big hair by the positioning of the ACH pad suspension system and adjusting the ACH retention system (chinstrap/nape strap).

The TS ACH retention system (chinstrap/nape strap) is attached to the inside of the helmet with glue.  Although there are several points on the chinstrap where stitching is used, there are also several points where glue is used as well without the support of any stitching.  I have purchased three of these helmets and found that an inspection is required to ensure serviceability of the chinstrap.  One of the helmets required me to re-glue the chinstrap to its attaching point in the helmet, while another helmet required re-gluing of the upper chin support brace to the lower.

The TS ACH pad suspension system mimics the 1-to-1 6-crown pad systems in a one-piece insert.  The ACH pad suspension system insert fits securely in the ACH without gluing.  Should you have a head sculpt that has really big hair or the size of the head is just large, removal of the one-piece pad will allow a better fit since the four-point chinstrap is connected to the helmet and not the pad suspension system as found with some DML models.

The ACH helmet digital woodland cover is a very cool item and really makes this product.  It employs the same material (100% cotton) and camouflage pattern (digital woodland) use with TS’s ACU uniform set.  Glue is applied to the helmet cover at several key points that allow the ACH cover to remain secure on the helmet but have the look of being attached without glue.  What really sets this helmet cover apart is the goggle retention or holding flap in the rear of the helmet.  It functions the same as it 1-to-1 counterpart.  All that is required is to lift the flap (which is secure with the use of Velcro), place the goggles in position, and re-secure the flap to the helmet.

The NVG mount is provided for use at the collector’s discretion.  In order to mount the NVG mount securely to the helmet, glue must be used. The ACH does not come with a helmet band.  Should you employ this item as a customized addition, mount the helmet band before attaching the NVG mount.  The TS NVG mount does support a variety of night vision devices including some from BBi and DML.

Figure 5, Toy Soldier ACH and ACU in Digital-Woodland

Proper Fit:

The ACH should fit so that the front rim is approximately 1/16 inch above the eyebrows. A properly sized and fitted ACH will sit level on the Soldier's head (side to side), with the lower edge of the front rim being level to the ground or slightly inclined with respect to the ground. While looking upward by only moving his eyes, the wearer can test for proper fit by observing that the edge of the rim should just be in view. All ACH Helmets should be fitted with the thinner size 6-crown pad in the top of the helmet. The crown pad should touch the top of the figures head.

Sick, Lame, Lazy, and Airborne Crazy;

T. R.