SPH-4 Aircrew Helmet Impact Protection Improvements 1970-1990

Abstract

The Sound Protective Helmet-4 (SPH-4), a derivative of the Navy SPH- 3, has been used by the Army since1970. As our knowledge of crash environments and human impact tolerance has increased through analyses of aircraft accidents and laboratory research, the performance of the standard SPH-4 helmet has been continuously reappraised, and the helmet's shell, liner, retention, earcups, and suspension have been upgraded to provide more impact protection. This report includes a discussion of improvements made in the SPH-4 helmet and the effects these improvements have had on its performance. The SPH-4, SPH-4B, and HGU-56/P are compared in terms of major design features, impact protection, and retention capabilities. The development of helmet impact testing methodology used at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, Alabama, also is discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA233784

Entities

People

  • Ronald W. Palmer

Organizations

  • United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accidents
  • Aircrafts
  • Army Aircraft
  • Aviation Accidents
  • Body Regions
  • Drop Tests
  • Dynamic Tests
  • Flight Helmets
  • Head Injuries
  • Helicopters
  • Impact Tests
  • Injury Prevention
  • Medical Personnel
  • Security
  • Standards
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Military Engineering.
  • Munitions and Ordnance Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design