New helmets being shipped out to Helmand
An Equipment and Logistics news article
22 Sep 09
5,000
new helmets and sets of body armour which will improve comfort for
British personnel on operations are about to be shipped out to
Afghanistan for use by front line troops this winter.
A soldier models a Mark 7 combat helmet and Osprey Assault body armour at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics 2009 event
[Picture: Andrew Linnett, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
The brand
new Mark 7 helmet along with new Osprey body armour will be available
for use by troops of 11 Light Brigade who will take over as the lead
formation of UK Forces in Helmand in October.
The helmets and armour were unveiled at the MOD's Defence Vehicle Dynamics event in June. See Related News >>>
The new Osprey Assault body armour and Mark 7 helmet offer an
improvement in the way that these items fit and feel. The new helmet
has the same protection as the current Mark 6A but will improve the
effectiveness of the soldier with a new harness that keeps the helmet
more stable on the head when night-vision equipment is fitted to it. It
is also better integrated with new weapon sights, making it easier to
use weapons in a variety of fighting positions.
The new Osprey Assault body armour has all the stopping power of the
current Osprey armour but is closer fitting, less bulky and easier to
move in.
Over 10,000 sets of the enhanced Mark 7 helmet and the Osprey Assault body armour have been ordered.
The first 5,000 sets will go to infantry soldiers, engineers,
drivers, medics, dog handlers, and those who regularly go outside the
wire.
Another 5,000 sets of helmets and armour are due to be sent to Afghanistan in Spring 2010.
