The CH252 Helmet is the standard issue helmet worn by the members of the UNSC Marine Corps and the UNSC Army. It has been in service since the Insurrection.[1] It is an integral component of the Marine and Army Battle Dress Uniforms. Nicknames for the helmet include "Coconut", "Lid", "Can", and "Pasta Shell".[2]
The standard helmet weighs 3.3 pounds.[3] When worn with the M52B Body Armor, which had become standard issue for the Marine Corps by late 2552, the helmet is typically painted olive green; prior to the widespread adoption of the M52B armor, the helmet was often painted brown to match its contemporary body armor.[4][5][6][1][7] Within the Army, the helmet is generally painted tan, while grenadiers' helmets are painted dark green and medics' helmets are painted white, also featuring a caduceus.[5]
The helmet can be outfitted with ballistic goggles or a heads up display eyepiece that can be polarized either orange or black, as well as a boom microphone and a tactical flashlight. The helmet can be fitted with an accessory clip which can be used to mount a night vision device. The basic Army configuration of the helmet features a chin strap, though this is typically not worn by Marines.[5] Balaclavas are often worn with the helmet, especially when operating in frigid environments, though they are occasionally worn in temperate and desert climates.[4][7]
The helmet can be fully enclosed and environmentally sealed; this sealed configuration is the basis of the Beta-5 Division's military police helmet, which can sport a polarized or unpolarized visor. It is a shared asset among the UNSC's military branches and can be used in conjunction with MJOLNIR armor. This version can also be used with vacuum suits and for terrestrial combat.[5]
A variation of the CH252 helmet was worn by the officers of the New Mombasa Police Department. This version featured a large blast shield to protect the wearer from small arms' fire and presumably from shrapnel and secondary explosions. Like its military counterparts, the NMPD's version of the CH252 could mount a boom microphone.[8]
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