The U.S. Marines Corps (USMC) announced that they have awarded Gentex Corporation a US$51 million, five-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to supply the each Marine the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH). Since 2014, only Marines shipping out on a deployment are issued the ECH and this new contract will mean that Marines will also be able to use the ECH for training.

In use by the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy, the ECH is a lightweight helmet that offers better ballistic protection of around 35% than the Advanced Combat Helment (ACH) that it will replace using lightweight material technology for enhanced protection from small arms fire and fragmentation. It is comprised of a ballistic shell, suspension pads, a four-point strap. Also in the helmet package are a reversible helmet cover, a bracket for night vision goggles, and attachments for additional hardware and devices.

“Right now, we have three helmets fielded, but the future vision is a single helmet for all operating forces, which greatly simplifies logistics considerations and increases cost savings,” said Nick Pierce, team lead, Body Armor and Load Bearing Equipment, as posted at the USMC website.

Gentex is also the same company involved in making the U.S. Army’s next generation helmet, the Integrated Head Protection System, which has already started production and is expected to be fielded for combat in 2020.

The ECH was tested in January 2017 as part of a selection process with the First Article Testing to begin in September 2017 and support delivery of the first order for 35,424 helmets. Afterwards, fielding is scheduled for the spring of 2018 and will cover the I, II and III Marine Expeditionary Forces.

“The ECH is the helmet of the future Marine,” said Maj. John Draper, ECH project officer. “It’s important for Marines to train with the same gear they will bring into combat.”