Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/958224
pension and, as a result, make it more comfortable. Originally, the comfort pads had one black side and were perforated for ventilation purposes. They were given the NSN 8470-01-364-7074. They were a part of five contracts and the first, DLA100-93-F-ED47, was the sole contract in the 1990s. The production was resumed during the GWOT and four more contracts were awarded from 2002 to 2005. The last of them was SPO100-05-M-4360 (10 September 2005). In used helmets, one can also find a set of other solutions that serve the same purpose. They include various foams or sponges cut into a round shape and attached to the suspension – however, those are non-issue solutions, bought at PXs or made by the sol- diers. COVERS The PASGT helmets could come with 5 types of covers, most of which were in three sizes (X/S; M/L, and XL). There were also at least two known exper- imental models. The first covers had a bit complex construction which consisted of a large number of el- ements sewn together every several centimeters as if balloon panels. It was to ensure the high-quality fitting to the shape of the helmet. For testing, the researchers used covers in ERDL camoufalge. However, the batch production used their simplified versions. Their con- struction consisted of a central strap, two sides, and a bottom part of the cover, which fastened the cover to the edge on the helmet shell. The bottom part of the cover included holes for the chinstrap and addi- tional holes for the parachuting strap in the rear. On the sides, the covers had holes for natural comouflage (e.g. branches, plants, etc.). Covers were stabilized on the suspension by the use of six bands with Velcro. Covers with Woodland camouflage were made of the same 50/50 NYCO Twill material as BDU Type. Covers were standardized on 2 April 1980 and as- signed the following NSNs: 8415-01-092-7514 (XS/S) and 8415-01-092-7515 (M/L). XL covers were assigned NSN 8415-01-303-8945 and standardized at a later date – on 7 July 1989 (the first contract was concluded in 1988). All Woodland covers included slits. The earliest versions from the first half of the 1980s had differ- ently sewn-in attachment bands (no X stitching) and a stamp inside with an arrow indicating the front of the cover. The covers manufactured until the end of 1997 had slightly shorter straps adjusted to the older version of the suspension. Later covers (starting from contracts in 1996) included extended straps so that it was possible to attach the cover on helmets with wider suspension. Earlier covers were produced until 1991 also had OD7 nylon webbing, while the later versions were in CG483. The last contract for Woodland covers, SPO100-06-D-4120, was signed on 28 April 2006, but the last procurement for the XL size was made on 4 March 2004 (SPO100-01-D-EF12). The 6-color desert cover was standardized on 11 October 1980 under NSN 8415-01-103-1349 (XS/S) and 8415-01-103-1350 (M/L). They were also made of NYCO Twill, but during the first Gulf War there was a Parachutist „Impact, Liner" was designed to decrease number of head injuries during the combat jumps. Despite the fact it didn't meet expectations, finally it was issued to offer any protection. www.fragoutmag.com