A Thicker Ballistic Shell For Combat Vehicle Crewman's Helmet

The current Combat Vehicle Crewman’s (CVC) helmet does many things well, allowing tank crewman to talk to each other on the vehicle intercom system and to other members of their unit through the vehicle radio system, but it does not provide ballistic protection from small arms fire and shell fragments. Desert Storm established the need for this increased ballistic protection. In response, the Director- ate of Force Development at the Armor Center has developed an improved ballistic shell for the helmet. It will provide the same level of ballistic protection as the current Kevlar helmet, and is identical to the standard CVC helmet shell, with the exception of its thickness and an increase in weight from 1.5 lbs to 2.5 lbs. The initial fielding plan for this new shell calls for a fully funded Army buy of approximately 40,000 shells. The first 2,500 will be stored for contingency purposes, and those remaining will be issued, through supporting central issue facilities, to units in accordance with a Department of the Army priority se- quence. The first unit to receive this improved ballistic shell will be the 82d Airborne. If you would like a copy of the complete fielding plan, contact us here at the Directorate of Force Development. The fielding of this shell is scheduled to start in May 1996 and will take approximately two years to complete. Upon completion of initial fielding, remaining units without the increased ballistic shell may request them using organizational funds. The National Stock Numbers to use when ordering this new shell are: 8470-01-389- 3815 for small to medium and 8470-01-389-3821 for large size. * * * As a result of the article: “Dangers of Wearing Synthetic Underwear” in the January-February issue of ARMOR, we received several calls asking for National Stock Numbers (NSNs) for 100% cotton cold weather underwear. The NSNs are listed below. To prevent being issued a substitute that may be made of a synthetic fiber, you must use an advice code of 2b on your requisition. Drawers, 100% cotton, cold weather, color natural:

Undershirt, 100% cotton, cold weather, color natural:

Currently there is a short stockage of the 100% cotton underwear available at the depot. However, a contract has been awarded for more 100% cotton underwear, scheduled to be delivered to the depot in March 1996. If you have any additional questions or need any other information on this or the increased ballistic protection CVC shell, call Mr. Larry Hasty at the Directorate of Force Development, DSN 464- 3662, or commercial (502) 624-3662.

Combat Vehicle Crewman’s Helmet