We initially wrote a story about Revision's Batlksin Next Gen Helmet when it was a concept. Now, it's for real as the prototype helmet is now being shown to more people, mainly those who are into purchasing decisions for armed forces worldwide. It was on exhibit during the Defense & Security Equipment International (DSEi) 2011 that was held in ExCel, London, last 13-16 September 2011.

Those in the US will get to see this system, officially called as the Batlksin Modular Head Protection System (MHPS), during Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition next month.

Revision Military is developing the Batlskin under contract by the US Army last 28 July 2011. This concept has been evolving since 2009 and with this new contract, Revision gets to fully develop a fully modular, multi-mission, and comprehensive head protection system for the US Army.

The Batlskin was developed under the concept of challenges facing the soldier of today. The challenges are within what they call "3 contiguous blocks" which are namely: humanitarian, peacekeeping, and full scale military action. The Batlksin's modular features will let the soldier reconfigure the helmet to meet any of these challenges:

The helmet's main features are the following: a lightweight system that Revision says that is used advanced shell technology to achieve the reduction in weight, which will be around 20% lighter than existing shells; the liner is dual foam for superior fit, comfort and impact absorption; and the retention system allows one handed adjustment, even while using night vision goggles.

Other features are the multipurpose front mount for attaching the helmet's other components such as the visor, mandible guard, and NVG; the 3-point visor that is fog, scratch and chemical resistant that gives high impact proteciont and maximum field of view; and the mandible guard which will provide protection for the lower jaw.

I am still at a loss on how an operator will be able to aim well with the mandible guard on, which is feasible when optics are on higher mounts, but when using just the iron sights or lower mounts, it might be tough aiming. This is an experience encountered when wearing paintball masks for CQB games since these are full face protecion with lower jaw protection. But I guess it can be done since Revision does good research and testing.

I am imagining that some Chinese manufacturer already trying to design something like this for the airsoft market. With some airsoft players uncomfortable using paintball masks, this might be a good alternative for the "tactical look" that airsoft players always are after. But for me, I might just stick with ballistic glasses and a lower face mesh mask for CQB games. At the end of the day, I prefer comfort when playing airsoft games more than the tactical look.