Helmet Saves Israeli Soldier Hit By Palestinian Sniper

[sid]

I didn't think that a helmet offered that much protection against a military rifle round. You can see a picture of the damaged helmet in the article.

https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Report-IDF-soldier-injured-from-Palestinian-gunfire-along-Gaza-border-578277

[Vern Humphrey]

That's a Kevlar helmet, and they're pretty effective.

However, note the claim it was a "sniper" who fired -- the way to tell if you're really under sniper fire is to ask yourself, "Am I dead?"

[Allen]

I wonder if the Kevlar helmets are like the vest and only stop blunt objects--not pointed bullets?

[Art]

The article doesn't say how far away the shooter was or what he was shooting but it's safe to say that if the soldier wearing the Kevlar helmet had been wearing a "steel pot" he'd probably be dead. There have been cases of Kevlar helmets stopping 7.62x54r ammunition at ranges past 100 yards. Not everyone hit in the noggin while wearing a Kevlar helmet that stopped a bullet got out with only light injuries, it can be a heck of a wallop depending on the round and the distance.

Allen: Vests, though Kevlar, have a different construction. They stop spitzer bullets within their rated standard of protection. They are not proof against some sharp edged weapons like ice picks. The ceramic or Kevlar plates that are worn in the pockets on the vests are similar in capability to the helmets.

[Vern Humphrey]

I wonder if the Kevlar helmets are like the vest and only stop blunt objects--not pointed bullets?

Kevlar vests will stop spitzer points -- within limits. The bullets are not sharp enough to cut the threads, but their limited meplats will allow a bit more penetration in the vest material than a round nose.

[Art]

Current standards.

http://www.tote.com.au/threatlevel.htm

There is no fine print on this article. When I was "on the job" quite a spell ago the rifle armor was "proof" at more extended ranges, for example 7.62x51 rated plates would stop that bullet at 200 yards. This stuff is constantly evolving though and I'm sure its more effective now.

The article also mentions the special problems posed by some cartridges like 7.62x25 FMJ steel core. The Hong Kong police found that this round would reliably penetrate level 2 and sometimes made it through threat level 3A vests. This caused the Hong Kong P.D. to adopt special "Tokarev Rated" armor.

[blackhawknj]

The "steel pot", and before that the Stahlhelm-and the Brodie-were designed for protection from shrapnel.
"Sniper" ? If you can't see them, and they can hit you-they qualify.

[Vern Humphrey]

If you can't see them, and they can hit you-they qualify.

Not quite true -- that's like saying a donkey is a horse. Snipers, real snipers, KILL. Every single time. If you're being shot at and you ain't dead, it ain't sniper fire.

[blackhawknj]

But if they take you out of the fight, you have to be evacuated...they've done damage. A donkey isn't a horse but for some purposes it can substitute for one

[p246]

Last year I saw a helmet demoed by shooting it point blank with 7.62 X 39. It stopped the round but there was a lot of protrusion into the helmet. You’d be knocked out or worse but probably survive. It was a prototype then and they were looking for a buyer.

[m1ashooter]

https://www.geek.com/gadgets/advanced-combat-helmet-stops-an-ak-47-head-shot-1536798/

[Clark Howard]

I wonder why the Israelis didn't use their artillery to counter the sniper. No matter how accurate a sniper, very few can stand against artillery. Regards, Clark

[Vern Humphrey]

I wonder why the Israelis didn't use their artillery to counter the sniper. No matter how accurate a sniper, very few can stand against artillery. Regards, Clark

Among other things, there would be a lot of collateral damage.

[dryheat]

Ever worn a kevlar helmet? It's kind of heavy. It's helpful.

[Vern Humphrey]

Ever worn a kevlar helmet? It's kind of heavy. It's helpful.

Damn heavy. The modern American infantryman in combat carries twice what the WWI infantryman carried.