[Defense Column] Jang Byung-yong Iron Man Helmet Coming Soon

[Agency for Defense Development]The future soldier's individual combat system is expected to evolve into a form different from existing combat systems, based on rapidly advancing material technologies and information communication technologies. This expectation is entering a visible stage as various prototypes are realized based on technological convergence. Recently, various countries such as the United States, Europe, and Russia have unveiled prototype forms of future soldier combat systems that integrate the functions required for individual combatants into a unified system.

The application areas of individual combat system technologies are vast, ranging from information communication fields and mechanical aids to ballistic materials and low-detection technologies. The field of gas masks is also undergoing changes in shape and function in line with the advancing capabilities and technologies required for future combatants.

▲ From Equipment Mounting to Facial Protection... The Transformation of Helmets= Current gas masks consist of a rubber material facepiece and a protective hood that covers the head and shoulders. However, the materials and forms of future gas masks are unlikely to maintain the existing protective hood connection style and rubber materials. This is because surveillance cameras, image recognition devices, and information communication equipment will be mounted on the soldier’s helmet, and battlefield information must be linked with information processing equipment attached to the combat uniform. Additionally, due to the increasing demand for facial fragment protection during combat, the facial protective structure requires robust protective materials.

In this regard, abroad, various prototypes of helmet-integrated full-face masks for individual soldier systems have recently been unveiled by global companies related to helmets and masks such as 3M Scott or Gentex, as well as military research institutes. Research is actively underway to incorporate advanced technologies that maximize survivability, such as fragment protection and information communication functions, into helmet-integrated facial protection systems. Most products under development overseas do not include chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protection functions in the mask, but domestically developed helmet-integrated gas masks are equipped with CBRN filtration functions.

▲ Composition of Helmet-Integrated Gas Masks= The domestically developed helmet-integrated gas mask is an early version developed in Korea that meets the functional requirements of future gas masks. The facial protective mask has a helmet-integrated structure with a detachable upper part to provide CBRN protection for the entire head, and is connected downward to a neck protective structure in the form of an open neck cover that can be attached to or detached from the upper combat uniform. When wearing a CBRN protective combat uniform along with the helmet-integrated gas mask and neck protective cover, a fully sealed protective structure can be realized to protect the head and body from external contaminated gases.

The facial protective mask is made of sturdy polycarbonate material and provides protection against low-velocity fragments. Like conventional gas masks, it has an internal nose cup that seals tightly when external air is inhaled through the filter attached to the gas mask, thereby providing gas protection. If the filter interferes with combat equipment, one side of the filter can be detached from the face mask without allowing toxic gases to infiltrate inside the mask.

This integrated gas mask structure blocks the penetration of harmful gases and particles throughout the entire head. By attaching a compressed air tank connector instead of a gas mask canister, it can function as a positive pressure breathing apparatus that allows breathing in environments where normal respiration is impossible. Additionally, if radiation shielding materials are applied, radiation shielding for the entire head can be implemented. The sturdy facial structure of the gas mask also allows the installation and implementation of peripheral devices such as small information communication devices.

▲ Civilian Applications of Helmet-Integrated Gas Masks= Recently, the need for mask usage has increased year-round due to pollutants such as yellow dust and exhaust fumes, as well as viruses like SARS and coronavirus, leading to increased demand for functional masks or filters. In industrial sites, integrated functional gas masks that consider various gas leak risks and safety accident prevention are also required. In the dust mask field, research and development continue on advanced masks incorporating the latest technologies such as replaceable filters, fan motors, air purification technologies, smart masks that can monitor air pollution levels in real time, and masks combined with the Internet of Things.

For advanced mask technologies to be efficiently implemented, the components used must be stably applied, making the mask platform where components are applied very important. Considering safety from falls and contaminant exposure in industrial and humanitarian rescue sites, helmet-integrated gas masks that consider both respiratory and head protection are expected to be a very suitable structure.

▲ Efforts to Develop Advanced Protective Equipment= Unlike the past when many ground combatants were deployed to conduct battles, the future battlefield is expected to be a high-tech arena where the personal missions of a few special combatants determine the outcome. Combatants will use detection and measurement equipment to confirm battlefield information and conduct special operations, and the use of advanced weapons linked with them will decide the victory or defeat on the battlefield.

Therefore, the survivability of individual combatants becomes more important, and individual combat systems are expected to integrate and unify advanced combat functions and defensive capabilities for individuals, forming the foundation of strong combat power capable of performing missions in any battlefield situation. Currently, helmet-integrated gas masks are somewhat heavy due to the size of the mounted mission equipment, and wearing time is longer compared to conventional gas masks. In the future, helmet-integrated gas masks are expected to evolve into advanced protective equipment with high utility in both military and civilian fields by reducing weight through projecting advanced battlefield information from the HDM (Head Mounted Display) mounted on the front of the helmet onto the gas mask’s goggles, applying lightweight materials, reinforced facial ballistic protection, and shortening wearing time.