Lyras
25-11-2008, 00:31
BALCOTH Advanced Helmet – Protectorate of Lyras
Background and conceptualisation
BALCOTH is the current in-service Lyran combat helmet, standard issue to all personnel, and part of personal TOE when deployed to combat zones. BALCOTH, an acronym for Ballistic Armoured Lightweight Combat (Operational/Tactical) Headgear, was developed by the Lyran Protectorate Research and Development Commission as not only protection from shockwave, blunt impact, kinetic strike and shrapnel, but also as a means of intra-unit communication, battlenet datalink, night combat facilitation and acoustic enhancement/shielding.
As the LY20 HILAR was nearing developmental completion, the Protectorate Research and Development Commission was able to consider where to next focus its efforts. In September of that year, an official request was lodged to the PR&DC by the Armed Republic of Skibereen for a new combat helmet to replace the in-service hodge-podge mix of ACH, PASGTs, K-pots and CGF Gallet helmets. The Commission was tasked to deliver a lightweight, durable and comm-linked piece of equipment that could be issued as the new standard to personnel across all three services. Shortly after the LY20 went into production, research commenced into that which would become the BALCOTH Advanced Helmet.
Construction
The materials featured in the design of the BALCOTH, in particular its armouring scheme, are very unusual to say the least. From the outset, the design was absolutely forbidden from going over the 1.6kg weight limit, in large size, with all ancillary head-mounted equipment included. To that end, BALCOTH features a very unconventional armour scheme that combines varying hardness materials, in order to deflect incoming projectiles away from the wearer's head.
The outer-layer of the helmet is Lyras' internationally renowned semi-synthetic anciniform spidersilk. This layer, featuring protective qualities near-identical to an equivalent mass of high-durability kevlar, is a scant one-third of the volume. With the reduced volume, space is created behind the first layer, in which is located a honeycombed latticework of tungsten-disulfide and boron-carbide. These very high hardness materials are not intended to stop the incoming projectile,$ but to angle it along a path of least resistance, a path that will take the projectile away from the wearer's skull. The high-strength ceramics are employed along areas running parallel to the head, while the spidersilk is employed along transverse and perpendicular points. The spidersilk, when subjected to force, is initially very stiff, like Kevlar, but just before the yield point becomes very elastic, like Nylon (indeed, it becomes hyperelastic – to the point of undergoing hysteresis, whereby a material, upon release from tension, comes back into the original shape). As a consequence of the properties of the materials involved, incoming projectiles are redirected away from critical areas, moving through the less-resistant, high elasticity spidersilk, rather than breeching the ultra-high-hardness armour-ceramics.
The helmet is similar in shape to the classic United States-designed Modular Integrated Communications Helmet, with additional protection to the rear. Initial problems (re)discovered in testing included tilting the helmet forward when in the prone position, as the back of worn body armour pushes up the helmet's newly re-instated rear. Adjustments to the shape, moving the helmet's rear sections away from direct proximity to the wearer's neck, alleviated this problem, and maintained higher wearer protection than the MICH's low-cut neckline. The mounting brackets on either side of the helmet for the 'Bat's Eye' autofocusing night vision equipment were moved fractionally forward, to maintain the centre of gravity for the helmet, and not leave it pulling the head rearward.
As with its MICH ancestor, BALCOTH uses a four-point pad and retention system for optimum comfort and protection. The additional cushioning provided by the padding further improves impact protection, especially in regards to blunt trauma. Cloth covers of any number of patterns may be applied, and in this regard LDPCU fabrics (of an IR-suppressant nature) are strongly encouraged.
Over the course of development, BALCOTH shifted from a slightly ambitious project for a helmet facilitating communications and night-vision, into one of the most notable force multipliers available to combat infantrymen, covering a wide range of functions and slotting into the most advanced of existing battlenets to optimise delivery of combat power.
Active Noise Cancellation and voice communications
Integral to the design of BALCOTH is the presence of an active hearing protection and communications suite, referred to as 'EARS', an appropriately chosen acronym for Enhanced Auditory Response System. 'EARS' utilises sound waves exactly inverse in frequency to incoming sound to cancel out large proportions of the heard amplitude. Given the desire to not muffle the awareness of users, cancellation of noise is only implemented when noise volume reaches beyond a certain decibel level. Below that threshold, the active systems actually enhance hearing, increasing the heard volume of conversation, ambient noise, or distant sounds. The exact threshold at which enhancement and suppression occur is adjustable.
When operating in close terrain, such as rainforests or jungle, this additional auditory acuity is of exceptional importance, and has leant EARS-equipped personnel considerable advantages in a number of training and development-evaluation exercises. The dual-independent nature of the system ensures that the direction of incoming sound, as percieved by the wearer, is unchanged, allowing for rapid and accurate detection-to-engagement speeds.
In the case of BALCOTH, in addition to the facilitation of integral active hearing protection, the same earmuffs which hold the amplitude modulation systems also feature connectivity to standard battlenet half- or full-duplex voice communications systems. In this manner, even when in a trench line being shelled, BALCOTH-wearers will be able to transmit and receive orders clearly, while preserving their hearing. While a boon for combat effectiveness, the ability to remain in contact with squadmates or higher command, in all circumstances, despite whatever chaos that may have erupted, is also an excellent guarantor of morale. Morale that, in turn, feeds responsiveness and combat efficiency.
Available as an operator- or unit-controlled function, BALCOTH is able to transmit auditory information gathered by the active systems to alternate systems (such as command vehicles), although this will shorten battery life considerably. The option of continual transmission is also present (often employed during hostage rescue scenarios or during sensitive parts of special forces operations), but also shortens battery life. In addition, while any given transmission uses 512-bit encrypted tightbeam line-of-sight, peer-relays or satellite-datalinks to optimise security, continual transmission, almost by definition, cannot package the information in this fashion, and thus increases the user's vulnerability to triangulation by comms-interception/ELINT. Although the platform can still boast very low probability of intercept, discretion is advised if and when using this feature of BALCOTH-EARS.
Bat's Eye
Bat's Eye is the Lyran Protectorate's design for an autofocussing night vision, image enhancement and visual information display system, for issue to personnel in combat or near-combat zones. Developed by a tripartite coalition including the Lyran Protectorate Research and Development Commission, a Newcastle (Australia, not UK) University research team under senior researcher Paul Halasz, and an Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation task group under Major Thomas Bielenberg, Bat's Eye utilises ultra-high-speed image processors and post-optical-input digitisers to save combat personnel from the irritating, time consuming and dangerous necessity that is the constant adjustment of personal visibility equipment to maintain focus in close terrain.
Bat's Eye was designed to function on existing 4th gen NVG systems, by means of the fitting of a digitiser to the rear of the monocle. The digitiser is connected to the image processor by a short length of insulated cable. The image processor sharpens the image received, before displaying it on the inside of the opaque pull-down visor, for the operator. The utilisation of further manually-adjusted final-stage focal-length modifying optics is the last element of the system, to enable the wearer's eyes to properly receive the data projected for them at near-contact ranges.
Initially designed primarily for use as a night-vision system, Bat's Eye has expanded tremendously in its operation, with DSTO suggestions to cross-link to existing battlespace networks dramatically expanding the system's potential. In addition to night vision, Bat's Eye functions as an image enhancement function in daylight, enabling the wearer to zoom in, much like a pair of binoculars, amongst other features. False-colour displays, high-contrast imagery, and black and white are common options selected.
The system has many subfunctions and permutations, most of which, as with all such devices, will never be used. Two functions that may well find themselves in use include the image transmission and receiving function, and weapon battle-sight uplink.
The image transmission functions in a similar manner to that of the EARS. Burst transmission of a data-packet or continual transmission in real-time are both available, if desired. Furthermore, the flip side of this is that personnel may receive images transmitted to them peer-to-peer, from higher command, or from battlenet datalinks. These can include briefing materials, targetting information, projected unit or support weapon lines of fire, wire-frame indicators of friendly locations, or any number of battle-space accessible friendly unit details. Connectivity and integration to Cromwell II or Warrior II battlespace management systems, at this point, has proven particularly fruitful, with levels of sharp-end operator awareness rising dramatically, blue-on-blue contacts dropping precipitously, and force responsiveness near-doubling. Examples of this include, when configured properly, overlays of target identification details onto the images of hostiles spotted by a given unit, as determined by access to network datafiles, if cross-linked with appropriate (Cromwell II, Warrior II or equivalent) image recognition programs from the battlenet. For this to function correctly, it must be stated, enough parallelity must have been established to generate the required levels of available network processing power. The presence of command hubs within the network will greatly assist in delivering the necessary network capacity.
The weapon sight uplink feature herein deserves a special mention, beloved as it has become for troops. By transmission of a gun's sight-picture to the Bat's Eye, operators can see where their weapon is aiming... without exposing their weapon to return fire. In essence, the system lets personnel fire around corners. Expect accuracy to drop, however, especially in automatic fire.
As with all Lyran-designed networking and electrical systems, Bat's Eye uses gallium arsenide circuitry, and all transmissions are 512-bit encrypted. Rechargeable batteries (the same as power the EARS detailed previously) are expected to last 3 days during normal combat conditions (which anticipates 18 hours of continual use per day), and are rechargeable from the 240 volt AC outlet fitted as standard on Lyran vehicles. Recharging normally takes about twenty minutes, from zero to 100% charge, and can be interrupted at any stage. It is recommended that batteries be replaced entirely after five years, although they are guaranteed to last for eight, if due care is exercise. Combat damage, for obvious reasons, voids this warranty. If the system fails in combat (probably as a cause of direct damage), the data-records (unless over-ridden by authorised source prior to destruction) will self-destruct. The opaque, fold-down visor, into which visual information is presented, can be removed entirely if a user wishes, and this is expected to occur in some cases of combat damage. This will not void the system's ability to transmit information, or receive it, although of course the display won't be functioning, in this instance.
On the BALCOTH, Bat's Eye's image processor is situated internally, in the space between the rear spidersilk shell and inner boron-carbide layer. The imaging monocle is situated on the right of the helmet, semi-enclosed by the shell. The battery pack is located on the opposite side, acting as a counter-weight. By keeping both items close to the head, and on opposite sides, there is no requirement for a counter-weight.
Modularity and adaptability
Such is the flexible nature of the BALCOTH networking and data-processing systems, that end-users may well find or adapt the system to an incredibly diverse range of functions, outside the initial operating parameters. APC dismounts discovered during training and evaluation exercises that they could access the vehicle's sensor suite while in transit, allowing them to have a vastly increased combat awareness when they emerge into the fray. Also discovered to be of use was the capacity for appropriately networked fire-finder radar systems to notify units being targetted by hostile artillery about projected impact locations, prior to inbound projectile arrival, enabling units under fire to seek appropriate shelter, or relocate, as circumstances warrant.
While instructions for these particular adaptations have been included, the system continues to alter, expand and adapt as more uses are concieved and implemented. Operating units (and suitably trained/educated personnel) are encouraged to experiment with alternate data/uplink sources and display options, so as to maximise combat potential for engaged personnel.
Export
As would be expected of a system of this nature, BALCOTH is not sold, save to states so authorised by all four of the following; the Armed Republic of Skibereen, The People's Freedom, Lamoni, and the Executive Command Staff of the Lyran Protectorate. At the time of release, all nations signatory to the Fedala Accords are also granted purchase rights, as are the Holy Empire of Verenberg, Asgarnieu, Federal Republic of Hamilay, Errikland, Bomble, Mokastana, Pan-Arab Barronia and select others. A single example of BALCOTH is available for NS$35,000, an inescapable reality due to the sophistication of the materials and systems with which it is constructed, although in many cases it is expected that (given the receiving state's allied status) discounts will be granted, at cost to the Protectorate.
Purchases are available through Lyran Arms (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=541320)
Background and conceptualisation
BALCOTH is the current in-service Lyran combat helmet, standard issue to all personnel, and part of personal TOE when deployed to combat zones. BALCOTH, an acronym for Ballistic Armoured Lightweight Combat (Operational/Tactical) Headgear, was developed by the Lyran Protectorate Research and Development Commission as not only protection from shockwave, blunt impact, kinetic strike and shrapnel, but also as a means of intra-unit communication, battlenet datalink, night combat facilitation and acoustic enhancement/shielding.
As the LY20 HILAR was nearing developmental completion, the Protectorate Research and Development Commission was able to consider where to next focus its efforts. In September of that year, an official request was lodged to the PR&DC by the Armed Republic of Skibereen for a new combat helmet to replace the in-service hodge-podge mix of ACH, PASGTs, K-pots and CGF Gallet helmets. The Commission was tasked to deliver a lightweight, durable and comm-linked piece of equipment that could be issued as the new standard to personnel across all three services. Shortly after the LY20 went into production, research commenced into that which would become the BALCOTH Advanced Helmet.
Construction
The materials featured in the design of the BALCOTH, in particular its armouring scheme, are very unusual to say the least. From the outset, the design was absolutely forbidden from going over the 1.6kg weight limit, in large size, with all ancillary head-mounted equipment included. To that end, BALCOTH features a very unconventional armour scheme that combines varying hardness materials, in order to deflect incoming projectiles away from the wearer's head.
The outer-layer of the helmet is Lyras' internationally renowned semi-synthetic anciniform spidersilk. This layer, featuring protective qualities near-identical to an equivalent mass of high-durability kevlar, is a scant one-third of the volume. With the reduced volume, space is created behind the first layer, in which is located a honeycombed latticework of tungsten-disulfide and boron-carbide. These very high hardness materials are not intended to stop the incoming projectile,$ but to angle it along a path of least resistance, a path that will take the projectile away from the wearer's skull. The high-strength ceramics are employed along areas running parallel to the head, while the spidersilk is employed along transverse and perpendicular points. The spidersilk, when subjected to force, is initially very stiff, like Kevlar, but just before the yield point becomes very elastic, like Nylon (indeed, it becomes hyperelastic – to the point of undergoing hysteresis, whereby a material, upon release from tension, comes back into the original shape). As a consequence of the properties of the materials involved, incoming projectiles are redirected away from critical areas, moving through the less-resistant, high elasticity spidersilk, rather than breeching the ultra-high-hardness armour-ceramics.
The helmet is similar in shape to the classic United States-designed Modular Integrated Communications Helmet, with additional protection to the rear. Initial problems (re)discovered in testing included tilting the helmet forward when in the prone position, as the back of worn body armour pushes up the helmet's newly re-instated rear. Adjustments to the shape, moving the helmet's rear sections away from direct proximity to the wearer's neck, alleviated this problem, and maintained higher wearer protection than the MICH's low-cut neckline. The mounting brackets on either side of the helmet for the 'Bat's Eye' autofocusing night vision equipment were moved fractionally forward, to maintain the centre of gravity for the helmet, and not leave it pulling the head rearward.
As with its MICH ancestor, BALCOTH uses a four-point pad and retention system for optimum comfort and protection. The additional cushioning provided by the padding further improves impact protection, especially in regards to blunt trauma. Cloth covers of any number of patterns may be applied, and in this regard LDPCU fabrics (of an IR-suppressant nature) are strongly encouraged.
Over the course of development, BALCOTH shifted from a slightly ambitious project for a helmet facilitating communications and night-vision, into one of the most notable force multipliers available to combat infantrymen, covering a wide range of functions and slotting into the most advanced of existing battlenets to optimise delivery of combat power.
Active Noise Cancellation and voice communications
Integral to the design of BALCOTH is the presence of an active hearing protection and communications suite, referred to as 'EARS', an appropriately chosen acronym for Enhanced Auditory Response System. 'EARS' utilises sound waves exactly inverse in frequency to incoming sound to cancel out large proportions of the heard amplitude. Given the desire to not muffle the awareness of users, cancellation of noise is only implemented when noise volume reaches beyond a certain decibel level. Below that threshold, the active systems actually enhance hearing, increasing the heard volume of conversation, ambient noise, or distant sounds. The exact threshold at which enhancement and suppression occur is adjustable.
When operating in close terrain, such as rainforests or jungle, this additional auditory acuity is of exceptional importance, and has leant EARS-equipped personnel considerable advantages in a number of training and development-evaluation exercises. The dual-independent nature of the system ensures that the direction of incoming sound, as percieved by the wearer, is unchanged, allowing for rapid and accurate detection-to-engagement speeds.
In the case of BALCOTH, in addition to the facilitation of integral active hearing protection, the same earmuffs which hold the amplitude modulation systems also feature connectivity to standard battlenet half- or full-duplex voice communications systems. In this manner, even when in a trench line being shelled, BALCOTH-wearers will be able to transmit and receive orders clearly, while preserving their hearing. While a boon for combat effectiveness, the ability to remain in contact with squadmates or higher command, in all circumstances, despite whatever chaos that may have erupted, is also an excellent guarantor of morale. Morale that, in turn, feeds responsiveness and combat efficiency.
Available as an operator- or unit-controlled function, BALCOTH is able to transmit auditory information gathered by the active systems to alternate systems (such as command vehicles), although this will shorten battery life considerably. The option of continual transmission is also present (often employed during hostage rescue scenarios or during sensitive parts of special forces operations), but also shortens battery life. In addition, while any given transmission uses 512-bit encrypted tightbeam line-of-sight, peer-relays or satellite-datalinks to optimise security, continual transmission, almost by definition, cannot package the information in this fashion, and thus increases the user's vulnerability to triangulation by comms-interception/ELINT. Although the platform can still boast very low probability of intercept, discretion is advised if and when using this feature of BALCOTH-EARS.
Bat's Eye
Bat's Eye is the Lyran Protectorate's design for an autofocussing night vision, image enhancement and visual information display system, for issue to personnel in combat or near-combat zones. Developed by a tripartite coalition including the Lyran Protectorate Research and Development Commission, a Newcastle (Australia, not UK) University research team under senior researcher Paul Halasz, and an Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation task group under Major Thomas Bielenberg, Bat's Eye utilises ultra-high-speed image processors and post-optical-input digitisers to save combat personnel from the irritating, time consuming and dangerous necessity that is the constant adjustment of personal visibility equipment to maintain focus in close terrain.
Bat's Eye was designed to function on existing 4th gen NVG systems, by means of the fitting of a digitiser to the rear of the monocle. The digitiser is connected to the image processor by a short length of insulated cable. The image processor sharpens the image received, before displaying it on the inside of the opaque pull-down visor, for the operator. The utilisation of further manually-adjusted final-stage focal-length modifying optics is the last element of the system, to enable the wearer's eyes to properly receive the data projected for them at near-contact ranges.
Initially designed primarily for use as a night-vision system, Bat's Eye has expanded tremendously in its operation, with DSTO suggestions to cross-link to existing battlespace networks dramatically expanding the system's potential. In addition to night vision, Bat's Eye functions as an image enhancement function in daylight, enabling the wearer to zoom in, much like a pair of binoculars, amongst other features. False-colour displays, high-contrast imagery, and black and white are common options selected.
The system has many subfunctions and permutations, most of which, as with all such devices, will never be used. Two functions that may well find themselves in use include the image transmission and receiving function, and weapon battle-sight uplink.
The image transmission functions in a similar manner to that of the EARS. Burst transmission of a data-packet or continual transmission in real-time are both available, if desired. Furthermore, the flip side of this is that personnel may receive images transmitted to them peer-to-peer, from higher command, or from battlenet datalinks. These can include briefing materials, targetting information, projected unit or support weapon lines of fire, wire-frame indicators of friendly locations, or any number of battle-space accessible friendly unit details. Connectivity and integration to Cromwell II or Warrior II battlespace management systems, at this point, has proven particularly fruitful, with levels of sharp-end operator awareness rising dramatically, blue-on-blue contacts dropping precipitously, and force responsiveness near-doubling. Examples of this include, when configured properly, overlays of target identification details onto the images of hostiles spotted by a given unit, as determined by access to network datafiles, if cross-linked with appropriate (Cromwell II, Warrior II or equivalent) image recognition programs from the battlenet. For this to function correctly, it must be stated, enough parallelity must have been established to generate the required levels of available network processing power. The presence of command hubs within the network will greatly assist in delivering the necessary network capacity.
The weapon sight uplink feature herein deserves a special mention, beloved as it has become for troops. By transmission of a gun's sight-picture to the Bat's Eye, operators can see where their weapon is aiming... without exposing their weapon to return fire. In essence, the system lets personnel fire around corners. Expect accuracy to drop, however, especially in automatic fire.
As with all Lyran-designed networking and electrical systems, Bat's Eye uses gallium arsenide circuitry, and all transmissions are 512-bit encrypted. Rechargeable batteries (the same as power the EARS detailed previously) are expected to last 3 days during normal combat conditions (which anticipates 18 hours of continual use per day), and are rechargeable from the 240 volt AC outlet fitted as standard on Lyran vehicles. Recharging normally takes about twenty minutes, from zero to 100% charge, and can be interrupted at any stage. It is recommended that batteries be replaced entirely after five years, although they are guaranteed to last for eight, if due care is exercise. Combat damage, for obvious reasons, voids this warranty. If the system fails in combat (probably as a cause of direct damage), the data-records (unless over-ridden by authorised source prior to destruction) will self-destruct. The opaque, fold-down visor, into which visual information is presented, can be removed entirely if a user wishes, and this is expected to occur in some cases of combat damage. This will not void the system's ability to transmit information, or receive it, although of course the display won't be functioning, in this instance.
On the BALCOTH, Bat's Eye's image processor is situated internally, in the space between the rear spidersilk shell and inner boron-carbide layer. The imaging monocle is situated on the right of the helmet, semi-enclosed by the shell. The battery pack is located on the opposite side, acting as a counter-weight. By keeping both items close to the head, and on opposite sides, there is no requirement for a counter-weight.
Modularity and adaptability
Such is the flexible nature of the BALCOTH networking and data-processing systems, that end-users may well find or adapt the system to an incredibly diverse range of functions, outside the initial operating parameters. APC dismounts discovered during training and evaluation exercises that they could access the vehicle's sensor suite while in transit, allowing them to have a vastly increased combat awareness when they emerge into the fray. Also discovered to be of use was the capacity for appropriately networked fire-finder radar systems to notify units being targetted by hostile artillery about projected impact locations, prior to inbound projectile arrival, enabling units under fire to seek appropriate shelter, or relocate, as circumstances warrant.
While instructions for these particular adaptations have been included, the system continues to alter, expand and adapt as more uses are concieved and implemented. Operating units (and suitably trained/educated personnel) are encouraged to experiment with alternate data/uplink sources and display options, so as to maximise combat potential for engaged personnel.
Export
As would be expected of a system of this nature, BALCOTH is not sold, save to states so authorised by all four of the following; the Armed Republic of Skibereen, The People's Freedom, Lamoni, and the Executive Command Staff of the Lyran Protectorate. At the time of release, all nations signatory to the Fedala Accords are also granted purchase rights, as are the Holy Empire of Verenberg, Asgarnieu, Federal Republic of Hamilay, Errikland, Bomble, Mokastana, Pan-Arab Barronia and select others. A single example of BALCOTH is available for NS$35,000, an inescapable reality due to the sophistication of the materials and systems with which it is constructed, although in many cases it is expected that (given the receiving state's allied status) discounts will be granted, at cost to the Protectorate.
Purchases are available through Lyran Arms (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=541320)