Tool collaborated with the US Military to develop a mandible / lower face protection system that can be retrofitted onto the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) and the Combat Vehicle Crewman Helmet (CVCH). In addition to protecting the soldier’s lower face from shrapnel and other dangers experienced during an engagement, the mandible system needed to be easily removable with one hand, maintain the ballistic properties of the helmet shells and minimize interference with weapon sighting.

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The parameters of this project required the Tool designers and engineers to creatively solve the unique strength, usability and manufacturing challenges of the mandible protection system. We focused on the interface mechanism for mounting the mandible system to the existing helmet shells, but the success of the project was also incumbent upon the Tool designed system integrating seamlessly with the wide range of equipment that modern soldiers use, including night vision devices, communication equipment and biochemical masks.