Mk 7 helmet

The Mk 7 helmet is the newest helmet of the British Armed Forces. Officially known as the GS (General Service) Mark 7 combat helmet. It is now replacing the previous Mk 6A helmet and Mk 6 helmet, introduced in 2005 and 1982 respectively.

The Mk 7 helmet was introduced in June 2009 as an UOR (urgent operational requirement). The new helmet offers the same ballistic protection as the Mk6A helmet, but its new shape allows a soldier to lie flat and shoot straight, without the rear rim digging into his body armour and tipping the front rim over his eyes.

The Mk 7 helmet is lighter than its predecessor – 1 kg instead of 1.5 kg for the Mark 6 helmet – and has better chin strapping for stability. It is produced in a new colour - tan, unlike the Mk 6A in black and Mk 6 in olive. It has been adopted for use in Afghanistan.

The ballistic protection is measured with V50 and for the Mk 7 it is about 650 m/s.