Personal Protective Kit

[chk2fung]

The other day I was leading a tour for prospective engineering students at school and we were given a presentaiotn by some bio mechanical engineering students, I must commend them even though I‘m a Civ, who were doing research into protective equipment for the army. Did anyone ever get the speech about the new helmets being able to stop a 5.56 round from point blank range? Well it may be a little disconcerting to know that it doessn‘t necessairly hold true at least not from the front. The tested helmet had a bullet hole clean through the front of the helmet but the rear held up ok. I guess its weighted more towards the rear cause they don‘t want all the troops to have their chin on their chest all day. A while back there was a picture of our former prime minister with his helmet on backwards, maybe there‘ was a reason for that after all. Also the students tested the plates that protect the torso and they held up very well so if anyone is issued them they should rest assured. There seems to be a lot of research nowadays into equipment for the army whcih is good news. They are currently trying to develop an anti-personnel mine boot, that would save lives considerably. That would be my plug for the University of Waterloo and how they are making soldiers lives a little more safe.

 

[Northern Touch]

Im heading up to Waterloo tomorrow (Friday) to visit my girlfriend. Any chance I can get a look at that stuff or did I miss out

 

[chk2fung]

Hey Northern Touch
Well unfotunately that day was a specially put aside to let ppl not at the university see what the school was about. However, I‘m sure if u came in and asked around they‘d be happy to show you, they would love input from ppl who would use this equipment adn show a general interest in it!! If you need specifics the lab is in Engineering 3 Rm 2317 I believe, its a biomechanical lab, but its best to ask ahead of time!! Cheers

 

[Doug VT]

We shot a helmet up, at range, and it didn‘t hold up very well at all. I have pictures, I‘ll post them when I find them...

 

[winchable]

I thought that the helmets were for protection against things like shrapnel, not for rounds aimed directly at it.

 

[Zoomie]

Exactly right Che...

Like Doug, I too have participated in shooting a C7A1 at a helmet at 100m, it did not hold up well at all.

The only surefire ballistic protection against a high velocity round (like a 5.56mm) is the dirt surrounding your slit trench or the inch of armour in your APC.

 

[scm77]

Speaking of armour in you APC, what‘s the protection like for a LAV?

 

[Marauder]

Ask you section commander if he knows. If you don‘t have a section commander, then you really have no need to know. Remember OPSEC.

As for the helmet getting shot thing, there is supposedly a helmet from a Just Cause 82d para in the Airborne Museum at Ft. Bragg that stopped a 7.62 round that left a big arse furrow in its passing. The pot deflected the bullet enough that the guy just got knocked down, and was able to get up and fight on. Apparently the shot came in at a certain angle and deflection sort of thing, which is what let the pot do its job, even if it wasn‘t pretty.

 

[scm77]

I don‘t have a section commander as I am a civillian. Hopefully in two years I will. Also there are websites that list the armour and other specific details about all kinds of military vehicles, so it‘s armour capabilities are most likely already public information.

 

[Marauder]

Doesn‘t mean we have to make this a one stop intel shoppe for the pendulating richards of the world who wish us ill.

 

[scm77]

Touche.

 

[portcullisguy]

scm77...

The armour thickness and capabilities of various infantry fighting vehicles has been very well researched and documented.

A great open source for that kind of information is the Jane‘s Information Group (www.janes.com). Be warned: Access to their information is VERY expensive for the individual. Their clients are mainly corporate, military and government.

 

[sapper332]

The helmet at the 82nd Abn Museum is fact - not rumor. I've seen it with my own eyes. I don't think it had any more ballistic rating than our current helmets - it was just one of those "one in a million" situations with the trajectory of the incoming round.
  In Kabul on my last day in theatre, a Cf member attempted to end his life by firing one round of his service rifle through the base of his jaw upwards...he wore his helmet at the moment of his attempt. The round penetrated the helmet, was deflected and embedded itself in the protective works surrounding his tent - so I can also attest to the fact that the current CF helmet is not a guaranteed bullet stopped - but it is the best PPE headwear out there for general service. (The soldiers at Dwyer Hill may have something better... but to find out I guess they'd have to kill me after they answered the question!)