{{Short description|Armored helmet used by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy}} {{Infobox military gear |name=Lightweight Helmet |image=USMC-LWH.jpg |caption=USMC Lightweight Helmet in brown color |origin=United States |type=Helmet |designer= |used_by=[[United States Marine Corps]]<br />[[United States Navy]] |service=2003–present |design_date= 1999–2003 |wars= {{Tree list}} *[[War on Terror|Global War on Terrorism]] ** [[Iraq War]] ** [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] * [[Russo-Ukrainian War]] {{Tree list/end}} |manufacturer= BAE Systems, Gentex Corporation |unit_cost= |production_date=June 2003 – present |weight=approx. 3.2 lbs/1.45 kg |number= |variants= |is_UK= |filling= |armour= }} The '''Lightweight Helmet''' ('''LWH'''), also known as the '''Lightweight Marine Corps Helmet'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.world-war-helmets.com/fiche.php?q=Casque-US-Lightweight-Helmet|title = World War Helmets - Erreur 404}}</ref> or '''Lightweight Marine Helmet''', is an armored helmet that is used by the [[United States Marine Corps]] and [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]]. It is the U.S. Marine Corps' replacement for the [[Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops|PASGT]] [[combat helmet]]<ref>{{Cite web| title=Lightweight helmet | url=https://www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil/Portals/105/PfM/GCES/PM_ICE/Info%20Sheets/Individual%20Armor%20Team/LWH%20PIS_2018.pdf?ver=2018-04-24-144757-590 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204183547/https://www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil/Portals/105/PfM/GCES/PM_ICE/Info%20Sheets/Individual%20Armor%20Team/LWH%20PIS_2018.pdf?ver=2018-04-24-144757-590 | archive-date=2024-12-04}}</ref> and is derived from the [[Modular Integrated Communications Helmet]].

The helmet was rated by the manufacturer to stop penetrations of 124 gr, 9mm FMJ at 1450 (-50 + 0 ft/s).<ref name=":0" /> This was a considerable improvement over the previous PASGT helmet.

==History== {{Multiple image |image1=090129-N-4774B-015 - A sailor mans a .50-caliber machine gun before a live-fire exercise.jpg |caption1=U.S. Navy sailor in 2009 wearing a LWH |image2=US Navy 091117-N-7058E-230 Chief Gunner's Mate Joshua Gordon mans a .30-caliber gun mount.jpg |caption2=U.S. Navy sailor in 2009 wearing a LWH}} {{Multiple image |image1=US Navy 110831-N-KQ416-166 Members of the in-port security team aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) participate in a training.jpg |caption1=U.S. Navy sailors in 2011 each wearing a LWH |image2=150123-N-RU971-031 - PO2 Kyle Shields mans M2 machine gun aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6).jpg |caption2=U.S. Navy sailor in 2015 wearing a LWH with a [[PASGT]] vest}} As it is nearly identical to untrained eyes in shape to the PASGT, outside the Marine Corps it is still called the '''Fritz helmet''' or '''K-pot''' (due to its resemblance to the German [[Stahlhelm]]). Though heavier than the [[United States Army]]'s [[Advanced Combat Helmet]], its larger size also offers more protection and is lighter than the PASGT. The reduced weight and increased protection is through the use of [[Twaron]], a [[Aramid|para-aramid]] synthetic fiber.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |title= |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031208140347if_/http://www.gentexcorp.com:80/PDFfiles/usmc.pdf |journal=}}</ref> Featuring a four-point retention strap system (compared to the two-point retention of the PASGT) and redesigned liner, it is considered more comfortable than the PASGT.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.natick.army.mil/about/pao/pubs/warrior/03/julyaug/index.htm#a2|title=The Warrior|website=www.natick.army.mil|access-date=2007-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602063340/http://www.natick.army.mil/about/pao/pubs/warrior/03/julyaug/index.htm#a2|archive-date=2013-06-02|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The LWH was designed from 1999 to 2003, with prototype testing being conducted from 2000 to 2002 in California and North Carolina. 200,000 of the helmets entered service in mid-to-late 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.natick.army.mil/about/pao/pubs/warrior/03/julyaug/index.htm|title=The Warrior|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040102055100/http://www.natick.army.mil/about/pao/pubs/warrior/03/julyaug/index.htm#a2|archive-date=2004-01-02}}</ref> with an expected service life of 15 years. It completely replaced the PASGT in USMC frontline service by 2009. The LWH was made by the Pennsylvanian-based Gentex Corporation and BAE Systems in five sizes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gentexcorp.com/assets/base/TechnicalPublications/PadSuspensionSizingChart.pdf|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903104528/http://www.gentexcorp.com/assets/base/TechnicalPublications/PadSuspensionSizingChart.pdf |archive-date=2017-09-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gentexcorp.com/default.aspx?pageid=955|title=L/W Marine Helmet|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016001914/http://www.gentexcorp.com/default.aspx?pageid=955|archive-date=2006-10-16}}</ref> Beginning in 2007, pads were installed in the helmet to improve comfort for wearers.<ref>{{cite web|title=USMC Lightweight Ballistic Protective Helmet|url=http://www.gentexcorp.com/assets/base/helmets/usmclw(2-09).pdf|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903104415/http://www.gentexcorp.com/assets/base/helmets/usmclw(2-09).pdf|archive-date=2017-09-03}}</ref>

Whereas the PASGT helmet's shell is olive drab, the LWH's is coyote brown<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gentexcorp.com/shopaviationhelmets/ground-dismounted/usmc-lightweight-helmet-lwh|title=USMC Lightweight Helmet (LWH)|website=www.gentexcorp.com|access-date=2016-03-25|archive-date=2015-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327025616/http://www.gentexcorp.com/shopaviationhelmets/ground-dismounted/usmc-lightweight-helmet-lwh|url-status=dead}}</ref> and can be fitted with cloth [[helmet cover]]s, either originally made for the PASGT or more commonly those made for the LWH in desert and woodland [[MARPAT]], as well as a mounting bracket on the front for any sort of night vision device, such as the [[AN/PVS-7]] [[Night vision device|night vision goggle]] or [[AN/PVS-14]] [[monocular]] [[night vision device]] (MNVD). Marines currently can be issued with a sling suspension or a pad suspension to fit the inside of the helmet to the head.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/SITES/PMICE/AddInfo/Armor/LWH/LWH%20Sling%20vs%20Pad.pdf|title=Marine Corps Lightweight Helmet: Sling Suspension vs. Padded Suspension|work=Marine Corps Systems Command|publisher=USMC|pages=2|access-date=2008-07-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304135039/http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/SITES/PMICE/AddInfo/Armor/LWH/LWH%20Sling%20vs%20Pad.pdf|archive-date=2009-03-04}}</ref> A [[nape]] protection system adds ballistic protection to the rear of the head was also added as to reduce strain and improve comfort to the back of the neck.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/SITES/PMICE/News/Armor/LWH/Extended%20Protection,%20New%20helmet%20pads%20shield%20neck%20from%20fragments.pdf|title=Extended Protection|last=Hoellwarth|first=John|date=March 2007|work=[[Marine Corps Times]]|publisher=[[Army Times Publishing Company]]|access-date=2008-07-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304135009/http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/SITES/PMICE/News/Armor/LWH/Extended%20Protection%2C%20New%20helmet%20pads%20shield%20neck%20from%20fragments.pdf|archive-date=2009-03-04}}</ref>

==Successor== {{Update|type=section|date=October 2020|reason="The end of 2013" has passed quite some time ago.}} The Marine Corps placed its first order for the [[Enhanced Combat Helmet (United States)|Enhanced Combat Helmet]] in July 2013, and was fielded to deployed Marines by the end of 2013. The ECH is planned to equip all deployed Marines, while the Lightweight Helmet will still be used for training and noncombat purposes.<ref>[http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20130729/NEWS04/307290043/New-combat-helmets-coming-deploying-Marines New combat helmets coming for deploying Marines] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007105840/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20130729/NEWS04/307290043/New-combat-helmets-coming-deploying-Marines |date=2013-10-07 }} - MarineCorpstimes.com, 29 July 2013</ref> Beginning in 2021, a high cut ECH variant with attachment rails and a contour similar to the [[Future Assault Shell Technology helmet|Ops-Core FAST helmet]] already in use by special operations forces was issued to Marines in combat arms units.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/2599349/supporting-the-future-fight-mcsc-modernizing-infantry-capabilities/|title=Supporting the future fight: MCSC modernizing infantry capabilities}}</ref>

==Users== <!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

* {{flag|New Zealand}}:[[Uniforms of the New Zealand Army|New Zealand Defence Force]], 2000-2019. Supplied by [[Federal Prison Industries|UNICOR]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gostak.co.uk/composites/new%20zealand/|title=Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets NEW ZEALAND helmet, Kevlar helmet|website=www.gostak.co.uk|accessdate=11 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2011/jan/15/unicor-made-military-helmets-recalled-production-suspended/|title=UNICOR-Made Military Helmets Recalled, Production Suspended &#124; Prison Legal News|website=www.prisonlegalnews.org|accessdate=11 May 2023}}{{failed verification|date=February 2025}}</ref> * {{flag|Ukraine}}{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} * {{Flagu|United States}} ** [[United States Marine Corps]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.natick.army.mil/soldier/media/fact/individual/USMC_LtwtHelmet.htm|title=USMC Lightweight Helmet|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040113084029/http://www.natick.army.mil/soldier/media/fact/individual/USMC_LtwtHelmet.htm|archive-date=2004-01-13}}</ref> (and [[Fleet Marine Force|attached U.S. Navy personnel]]) ** [[United States Navy]] *** [[Seabees]]<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://seabeemagazine.navylive.dodlive.mil/files/2016/05/2007_4Winter.pdf | title=A New Generation Unfurls | access-date=2019-08-07 | archive-date=2020-11-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127114146/https://seabeemagazine.navylive.dodlive.mil/files/2016/05/2007_4Winter.pdf | url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also== * [[Advanced Combat Helmet]] * [[Enhanced Combat Helmet (United States)|Enhanced Combat Helmet]]

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Lightweight Helmet}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20081205045511/http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/pmice/ALWH.asp Marine Corps Systems Command Page about the LWH] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20151002021340/http://www.world-war-helmets.com/fiche.php?q=Casque-US-Lightweight-Helmet World-War-Helmets.com - LWH Helmet] (French)

{{helmets}} {{US Marine Corps navbox}}

[[Category:2000s fashion]] [[Category:2010s fashion]] [[Category:Combat helmets of the United States]] [[Category:United States Marine Corps equipment]] [[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s]]