Ballistic helmets of the future will be expected to do more than simply block shrapnel and projectiles by including testing standards designed to reduce brain injuries.
MIPS, the leading brain protection system company, is leading the charge towards the tactical
helmets of the future by presenting and discussing a new oblique test method for military helmets.
Currently, ballistic helmet testing protocols focus on linear, percussive impacts from shrapnel,
bullets, or other debris. MIPS’ proprietary brain protection systems will answer a new testing
standard that more fully reflects head trauma threats that are prevalent in training and on the
battlefield. By accounting for the rotation of the head in the milliseconds following an impact,
new testing can address the shearing forces that contribute to many of the brain injuries affecting
armed forces and law enforcement personnel.
The US Department of Defense (DoD), through the Committee on Review of Test Protocols Used by the
DoD to Test Combat Helmets and the Board on Army Science and Technology recently reviewed their
testing protocols and their assessment document identified rotational motion as an important
contributor to brain injuries, hemorrhages, tissue contusions, and vascular tears.
Further studies have shown that approximately 327,000 traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have occured
from US military activities over a 15 year period. Of those, the non-battle causes, including blunt
traumatic injuries, produced nearly 50 percent of the hospitalization for TBI in Iraq/Afghanistan.
The US DoD additionally recommended that for new generations of helmets, the scope of studies
should be broader than what is currently being done. Research by the same scientists whose work
informed the development of MIPS have been cited in this assessment.
“We’re in a time of accelerating advancements in the kind of helmet protection we can offer
soldiers and law enforcement,” say Johan Thiel, CEO of MIPS. “While producers should continue to
focus on helmets that protect from weapons fire and shrapnel, it’s just as crucial that we address
the brain injuries that can happen under a wider variety of circumstances.”
MIPS and leading body armor brand SAFE4U-US have collaborated on a helmet to directly address these issues for active military personnel. The S4U-SOF HELMET, a restricted product for special forces,
offers field-tested comfort and is the lightest helmet on the market for high ballistic performance.
Tested in the USA Laboratory National Technical Systems NIJ lllA for cold, hot and seawater, the helmet performed with outstanding results. The complete helmet weighs just 900g and offers the MIPS brain protection system.
The S4U-SOF HELMET is currently on the market and is the first step toward further protecting
active duty military personnel. Learn more about by visiting their webpage; safe4u-usa.com
About MIPS:
MIPS specializes in helmet-based safety and protection of the brain. Based on an ingredient brand
model, MIPS Brain Protection System (BPS) is sold to the global helmet industry. MIPS solutions are
patented in all relevant markets and are based on more than 20 years of research and development
together with the Royal Institute of Technology and the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. MIPS is the world leader in this field and cooperates with 78 helmet brands that offer 448 models equipped with MIPS BPS on the global helmet market.
The company’s headquarters, with 26 employees in research and development, sales, marketing and
administration is located in Stockholm together with the test facility. For more information, visit
leaf.mipsprotection.com
Media Contact:
Greg Fisher, TRUE Communications, greg@truecommunications.com, +1 707 495 3756 (US)
Marcus Lindgren, MIPS, marcus.lindgren@mipsprotection.com, +46 70 111 21 21 (EU)