U.S. Army recalls substandard helmets

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. military officials said Monday the Army has recalled 44,000 Advanced Combat Helmets issued to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, explaining that the helmets, according to a Department of Justice investigation, do not meet Army standards.

The helmets are manufactured by contractor ArmorSource, and the Army issued a May 13 directive to combatant commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan calling for immediate turn-in of them, according to Army Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller.

Fuller said the recall involves about 4 percent of the 1.6 million Advanced Combat Helmets in the Army's inventory, and the recalled helmets are not a "direct risk" to soldiers.

While the helmets failed to meet Army standards, there is no evidence that any soldier was ever harmed from their use. The recalled helmets provided a safe degree of protection, Fuller said, but they were "just not up to our standards."

The recall is the result of a Department of Justice investigation, and individual tests conducted at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, which proved the helmet did not meet Army standards.

Mike Brown, the director of supply for Army logistics, said helmet inspections are currently underway in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recalled helmets are being turned in, he said.

The Army has three other helmet manufacturers, which are MSA North America, BAE Systems, and Gentex Corp.
Xinhuanet