There is a famous story regarding the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH), the story of U.S Army SSG Steven McQueen, who survived a shot in the head from a machine gun during an operation. Adopting the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) happened in 2013; it came as a replacement to the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH).

In answering whether or not it has been replaced, it is necessary to explore its features and draw if there are apparent flaws that can be a threat to the lives of soldiers. This is necessary because ballistic helmets‘ replacement is always stemming from soldiers being faced with an apparent risk through equipment meant to protect them.

The ECH was made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethene. This ballistic helmet was designed to be lighter than the ACH that it replaced and to provide increased protection against small-arms fire and fragmentation. It equally allows the addition of communication devices and night vision goggles.

Indeed, the role of providing safety for soldiers was fulfilled by the ECH, but soon, features that endangered the lives of soldiers were discovered. That discovery necessitated a new ballistic helmet that will correct the design error in ECH and even include new features. Therefore, the question of if the ECH has been replaced is answered in the affirmative.

It was replaced by an Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) helmet. The ECH was heavy and consequently added to the weight load of soldiers. It ultimately didn’t offer facial protection to wearers, and it had holes that reduced the safety of soldiers because of the parts that were left exposed to harm. Basically, the successful replacement of ECH by IHPS simply comes from the new helmet’s ability to provide more excellent protection for soldiers through, for example, a design that guaranteed complete protection of the face of the wearer.

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