The Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) was the standard issue combat helmet of the Australian Defence Force, introduced in 2004 to replace the M91 helmet,[1] an Australian version of the American PASGT helmet, it was replaced by the Team Wendy EXFIL Ballistic helmet[2] from 2015[3]
Design
The ECH is manufactured by Israeli company Rabintex, and was selected in a competition between four rival designs. It is the same shape as the U.S. MICH 2000 helmet, but is lighter in weight and has a Bundeswehr M92 helmet-style padded headband/crown pad suspension system.[4] It retains the 3-point chin strap that was used on the previous Australian M91 helmet.
The ECH has four sizes (Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large). It was also in service with the New Zealand Defence Force from 2009 to 2019.[5] Its Rabintex model number is RBH 303 AU.
Users
Australia: used by all branches of Australian Defence Force (replaced by the Team Wendy EXFIL Ballistic helmet as Tiered Combat Helmet.[6][7][8][9]) and Specialist Response Group of the Australian Federal Police
Ireland: Australian variant ACH made by Rabintex, Israel used by Irish Defence Force.[10][better source needed]
New Zealand: Australian Enhanced Combat Helmet made by Rabintex, Israel used by all branches of New Zealand Defence Force and Special Tactics Group of the New Zealand Police from 2009.[11]
References
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets AUSTRALIA, Australian helmet, Kevlar helmet". gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ "SORD to Develop Concussion Reduction Helmet for Australian Army". 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Australian Defense Force selects Team Wendy® EXFIL® Ballistic Helmet | Team Wendy".
- ^ "Helmets".
- ^ "Army Technology: Equipped to Win" (PDF). One Force (3, October). New Zealand Defence Force: 14. 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ "SORD to Develop Concussion Reduction Helmet for Australian Army". 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Australian Defense Force selects Team Wendy® EXFIL® Ballistic Helmet". 19 December 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ "Australia's first combat helmet upgrade program starts in Victoria". 27 July 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ "Soldier's Combat Ensemble". Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets IRELAND, IRISH helmet, Kevlar helmet".
- ^ "One Force Magazine issue #3" (PDF). www.nzdf.mil.nz. 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
Further reading
- Jamieson, Cpl Cameron (20 May 2004). "Head shed: New helmet into service". Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1097 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. ISSN 0729-5685. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
External links
- Rabintex Product: RBH 303 AU
- "New Australian Combat Helmet". Strategy Page. 4 May 2006. Retrieved 6 February 2012.