Defining combat helmet coverage for protection against explosively propelled fragments.

Area of Science:

• Military engineering
• Trauma prevention
• Anatomical studies

Background:

• Current Mark 7 combat helmets offer limited evidence-based protection against explosively propelled fragments.
• A framework is needed to determine optimal future combat helmet coverage for enhanced protection.
• The VIRTUS procurement program requires guidance on helmet design and coverage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the necessary helmet coverage for protecting against explosively propelled fragments.
• To identify anatomical landmarks for relating helmet coverage to critical brain structures.
• To inform the development of future combat helmet specifications.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review to identify solutions for defining ideal helmet coverage.
• Identification of critical brain structures requiring protection.
• Assessment of current helmet coverage using anatomical landmarks and mannequin testing.

Main Results:

• The brain and brainstem are the primary structures requiring helmet coverage.
• No direct studies linked anatomical landmarks to helmet coverage margins.
• Current helmets inadequately protect against ground-originating projectile trajectories.

Conclusions:

• Relating brain margins to the nasion, external auditory meatus, and superior nuchal line is recommended for helmet coverage assessment.
• Future assessments should employ finite element numerical modeling for objective comparison of helmet coverage and projectile trajectories.
• Helmet stand-off distance impacts protection against ground-originating threats, necessitating design considerations.