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Avon Protection Receives First Order To Deliver The U.S. Army's NG IHPS

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US Army NG IHPS

The U.S. Army will soon reserve its first batch of the Next Generation Integrated Head Protection System (NG IHPS) as it has placed the first order with Avon Protection which won the contract. The NG IHPS is the new helmet system that will replace the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) and Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH).

The first order is worth $42.1 million which is part of a contract worth up to $87.6 million over two years to develop and supply the U.S. Army. The contrac was first awarded in 2020 but had to be revised due to a protest by a bidding competitor.

Developed by the US Army Soldier Protection System (SPS) program, the NG IHPS is produced by Avon Protection Ceradyne, a subsidiary of Avon Protection. The development started in 2013 as the U.S. Army started looking for a replacement to the ACH and ECH with a helmet that has an improved performance as well as being lighter in weight. It was first issued in 2019 to soldiers who were deployed in Afghanistan and other combat zones under the Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI) program.


US Army NG IHPS 02

A U.S. Army paratrooper in Afghanistan in 2019 with the IHPS (Master Sgt. Alejandro Licea/U.S. Army)


The NG IHPS is 5% lighter than helmets it is replacing and uses a boltless chinstrap retention system. It provides improved blunt force impact, passive hearing and ballistic protection with options to further protective attachments such as mandible and maxillofacial protection. The side rails allow for the attachments for helmet mounted devices as well as NVG plate mount. Also developed for the NG IHPS is the proprietary rail-mounted adapter for 3M-produced Peltor ComTac headsets.

Avon Protection is expected to deliver the helmets in the first half of 2023 and the company is ramping up production to fulfill the order.

Press release below:


U.S ARMY NEXT-GENERATION BALLISTIC HELMET CONTRACT AWARD

Avon Protection is pleased to confirm that the Group has received its first delivery order worth $42.1 million from the U.S. Army under the Next Generation Integrated Head Protection System (NG IHPS) helmet contract W91CRB-21-D-0022.

Manufacturing ramp-up is progressing to plan after completing rigorous testing, with initial deliveries commencing in the first half of FY23 positioning Avon Protection as the leading helmet supplier to the U.S. DOD.

Paul McDonald, Chief Executive Officer at Avon Protection, commented:

"The receipt of this first delivery order is an important milestone for the NG IHPS, and a critical step in getting our advanced life-saving technology rolled out to U.S. military personnel with this first order. This programme cements our position as a global leader in head protection technology, and specifically as a centre of excellence in high-specification ballistic helmets."

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