Body armor for modern Helo pilots

Gino,

From what I know, it is called AIRSAVE body armor. It works with the MOLLE system and is similiar to IBA, but lighter and less restrictive. Specwargear.com has some pics of it. I'm pretty sure its the same situation as in Vietnam, where pilots wore the front plates and relied on the seat for rear armor, while aircrew use both front and back plates.

Hey Gino,

Army aircrews are wearing a soft armor vest that protects against 5.56 and 9mm. It is very similar to vests worn by law enforcement. There is a pocket on the front that holds the bottom of the front plate, the top being held by velcro backing. The AIRSAVE survival vest goes on over this. Pilot's rely on armored seats for rear protection. In the back, we have a backplate that is held by a quick release strap on the top with velcro straps on the bottom to keep it from flapping. I'll try to get some pics for ya'll in a couple of weeks when I am on leave and am able to upload them.

Mac

Thanks for the replies guys. I got it now.

I know there has been a rash of problems in supplying folks over in Iraq with proper body armor. Some have even resorted to buying their own and having it shipped over to them for use.

I do know when i was crewing Chinooks in the Gulf War (Part I), we didn't have body armor - but instead were given standard Flak Vests. All that did was give me a false sense of security.

The new armor ain't much better Hooker. Once you add the plates, the aircrew armor weighs as much as the flack vests with plates. It does allow more freedom of movement though. Being a 60 guy and 6'3" tall, I can have a tough time getting in through my window when the cargo door is blocked, but I kind of like having an inch of hard plate on top of the soft armor. It all makes me look like the Stapuft Marshmello Man from the waist up, but it is a small price to pay.

I forgot to bring my camera today, but I will get some pics to post in a week or two. I will show all of the components of the armor and how it is worn.

I know the Marine Helo Crews are wearing body armor with SAPI plates that stop 7.62mm. It is REQUIRED and we've been doing it since Sept-Oct 2001.

I think we have tha same stuff Dragonfire. Some 46's came through here a week or so ago and they were using the AIRSAVE vest so I assume that the armor was the same as well. The new stuff is a definate improvement over what we had 10 years ago.

Screaminhelo:

See, the Marines are finally catching up to other Services when in comes to flightgear. Actually we transitioned to AIRSAVE around 2000-2001; used to use the SV-2 survival vest. The Navy is also in transition from SV-2 to AIRSAVE.

It is a small price to pay, I'd rather be hot and sweaty than dead. Take care out there.

Dragonfire:

Hot and sweaty is every day anyway. It sounds like Marines and Army got the AIRSAVE about the same time. I just wish that Army would use the same flight helmets you do, and I could use a cranial too.

Screaminhelo,

Which helmet do you use? HGU-56? I thought they were good helmets. Also, arent all services standardizing on the -56? Just wondering.

We are using the HGU-56. They aren't bad helmet's but I miss some things about the SPH-4B that I used to have. My biggest beefs are: 1. The -56 is it is about as wide as a barn door and catches alot of wind when I stick my head out so that casues alot of wind noise that makes it difficult to hear and 2. The liner has a tendency to bunch up when you put your helmet on causing "hot spots".

There is a workaround for the windnoise; CEP's. They are little earphones that plug into the helmet and double as hearing protection. The "hot spot" problem is a little different. If you are fortunate enough to have a misshapen head, you can get a Zetaliner. It seems to be made of the same stuff that those contour pillows are and conforms to your head every time you put it on. I don't understand why they are not part of the standard issue.

As far standard helmets across the services, I don't think that the Army will be willing to spend the additional money for the helmets the other services are using. Don't get me wrong, the -56 is not substandard, it is just designed with only rotary wing operations in mind.

I remember when i was wearing SPH-4's and before TPL liners, i used to get hot-spots like the dickens. That web harness they had in those things was horrible, and when you threw a set of NVG goggles on top of that - oh man did it ever suck and make for a longer flight.

I've never worn and HGU-56 but i think they are hideous. They remind me of the old WWII flak helmets with the big ear flaps. Nothing like the reliable 'ol SPH-4 with dual visors.

Screaminhelo,

Gotcha. I meant standardized for rotary wing ops, I don't even consider jet-types anymore. Its kinda funny. I've got an APH-5 and an SPH-4 for my Vietnam helo collection, but I'm thinking about buying my own HGU-56 since I'm going to be flying within the next few years anyhow. Seems like a sound investment until I get to an Apache unit....

Actually, I was referring to rotary wing ops, but I just saw some pics in another forum that showed AF FE's wearing 56's. I know that navy and MArine aircrews wear the same helmets as the jet jocks, but they may have decided to change too.

Hey Hooker, the SPH-4b was a definate improvement. Better goggle mount and visor cover but basically the same hat.

Screaminhelo:

I forgot which one we use, think HGU-84? Could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time. I do know that Navy and Marine helo crews wear the same helmets. The fixed wing guys where a different version. They look similiar but definately offer better protection than the previous helmets.