Library
Manufacturer-neutral reference content for body armor procurement professionals. New briefs published automatically when regulatory monitoring agents detect a material change.
The authoritative hub for ballistic helmets — NIJ 0106 and ACH-GEN-II standards, cut styles (ACH / MICH / FAST / high-cut), pad vs dial retention, NVG mounting (Wilcox, Ops-Core VAS), and procurement. Source-cited across every spec.
NIJ 0106 is the primary US civil-sector ballistic-helmet certification. This guide covers its three handgun-only threat levels (I, IIA, II), why the standard doesn't address rifle threats, and why most LE procurement specifications pair it with military ACH-GEN-II.
ACH-GEN-II is the US Army's performance specification for Advanced Combat Helmet and its derivatives. It covers fragmentation V50, 9mm V50, backface deformation, and retention — a tougher spec than NIJ 0106. This guide covers what it specifies and why LE agencies increasingly require it.
The "cut" of a ballistic helmet — full, ACH mid-cut, high-cut, super-high-cut — determines ear, neck, and mandible coverage. This guide explains what each cut trades off (ballistic coverage, comms, NVG mounting, weight) and when each is appropriate.
A properly-rated ballistic helmet fails to protect if the retention is wrong. This guide compares foam pad systems (Team Wendy CAM-Fit, Oregon Aero), dial harnesses (BOA, Galvion Caiman, Ops-Core H-Nape), and hybrid configurations — with selection guidance by mission.
Wilcox L4 and Ops-Core VAS are the two NVG shroud systems that matter. This guide covers shroud-to-helmet compatibility, J-arm and dovetail standards, and how to specify a helmet so your downstream NVG loadout just works.
A mission-fit selection walkthrough for LE departments procuring ballistic helmets — threat model assessment, NIJ 0106 + ACH-GEN-II pairing, cut / retention / NVG decisions, and how to structure the RFP.
Modern helmet weight reduction rarely comes from ballistic compromise — it comes from shell-material upgrades (UHMWPE composite) and cut optimization. This guide covers where the weight is, how much can be shaved without losing rating, and the fatigue math that determines fielded-wear success.
MICH, ACH, and FAST are three helmet names that get used interchangeably — and shouldn't be. MICH is a SOCOM program, ACH is the Army program, and FAST is a commercial Ops-Core lineage. This guide separates them and tells you which one your RFP actually specifies.
Most LE helmet RFPs either under-specify (and get bids from vendors whose product doesn't actually meet real requirements) or over-specify (locking to a single vendor). This guide covers the specification language patterns that capture the right envelope while keeping competition open.