Mk. 6 Helmet
The Mk. 6 helmet is the standard combat helmet of the British Armed Forces. The Mk6 replaced the Mk. 5 Helmet in service from 1986 and is designed to accept modern ear protection, personal radios, and respirators. The helmet is manufactured by NP Aerospace,[1] and is reported to have an "almost unlimited service life" by the manufacturer.
The helmet in its default configuration is a dark green. The army use covers to camouflage the helmet and adapt it to different environments. Covers include the British Disruptive Pattern Material in temperate, woodland and desert patterns, a pure white cover for arctic environments and a United Nations blue coloured cover. It is sometimes referred as the "battle bowler" a term first used for the Brodie helmet.
The Mk 6 is often mistakenly thought to be made out of Kevlar when in fact it is constructed of "ballistic nylon" - nylon fibre.[2]
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[edit] Mk. 6A
In 2005, the Mk. 6 began to be replaced by an evolution of the original design, the Mk. 6A helmet.[3][4] NP Aerospace also manufactures the MK6A.[5] Although it looks very similar to the MK6, the MK6A has enhanced ballistic protection and is marginally heavier than the earlier model.[6]
[edit] See also
- Mk. 7 Helmet - Mk 6 replacement, general issue commenced in June 2009
- Modern equipment and uniform of the British Army
- List of current issued combat helmets
[edit] References
- ^ website
- ^ Ballistic properties of composite materials for personell protections MRL Technical Report MRL-TR-89-6 by J.R.Brown and G.T.Egglestone 1989
- ^ GNN - Government News Network
- ^ House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 22 Jan 2007 (pt 0024)
- ^ NP Aerospace Composite Helmets: Combat Helmets
- ^ http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/Bain,_The_Infantry_Section.pdf
[edit] External links
- NP Aerospace - Manufacturer's webpage.
- Battle Bowler (MK.6) - Army Rumor Service
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