HGU-55/P – Single Bungee Visor

The HGU-55 is a lightweight helmet designed for the high-g combat environment of the Air Force F-15 and F-16. Its shell is trimmed wider and higher at the eyes for improved vision and higher on the sides and back for easier head movement. Impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses screen out harmful ultra-violet rays. A size large HGU-55 with custom-fit liner, earphones, communications cord, and oxygen mask receivers weighs only 31-ounces (878 grams). Helmets include a fitted leather edge roll, comfortable leather ear pads, and leather chin and nape strap pads.

 

The HGU-55 is a lightweight helmet designed for the high-g combat environment of the Air Force F-15 and F-16. Its shell is trimmed wider and higher at the eyes for improved vision and higher on the sides and back for easier head movement. Impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses screen out harmful ultra-violet rays. A size large HGU-55 with custom-fit liner, earphones, communications cord, and oxygen mask receivers weighs only 31-ounces (878 grams). Helmets include a fitted leather edge roll, comfortable leather ear pads, and leather chin and nape strap pads.

Lens Installed in Helmet Lens Installed in Helmet

Additional LensesInfo » Additional LensesInfo »

Helmet Color & Design Helmet Color & Design

Helmet Shell Helmet Shell

Helmet Size Helmet Size

Leather Color Leather Color

Comfort Liner Comfort Liner

Chin & Nape Chin & Nape

Oxygen Mask Receivers Oxygen Mask Receivers

Microphone Mount Microphone Mount

Communications Side Communications Side

The microphone and communications cord can be located on either side of the helmet, including on opposite sides of the helmet, depending on plug-in locations in your aircraft.

Microphone Microphone

With dimmable LED lights, 3 green and 1 white

Earphones & Hearing Earphones & Hearing

Communications Options Communications Options

Communication Cord Communication Cord

Earcups Earcups

Earcup Options Earcup Options

Microphone Boom Lip Light Microphone Boom Lip Light

Absorbent Cotton Skull Caps Absorbent Cotton Skull Caps

One white cotton skull cap is included with each helmet

Helmet Bag Helmet Bag

Features

SPH-5 features help you do your job
•  Compact size
•  Low center of gravity
•  Wide field of vision
•  Stable NVG platform
•  Wide range of sizes
•  Easy to put on and adjust
•  Comfortable
•  Strong and durable

SPH-5 Options
•  Full line of communications
•  Active Noise Reduction (ANR)
•  Communications Ear Plug (CEP)
•  Maxillofacial Shield
•  Laser Anti-Dazzle Lenses
•  Paint and Artwork

SPH-5 Testing
•  Tested to current SPH-5 specification PS-0058
•  Impact tested at high and low temperatures on flat and
hemispherical anvils
•  Chinstrap and Retention tested
•  Sound attenuation tested
•  Lens optics and ballistics tested

SPH-5 Quality Assurance
•  Manufactured in Gentex’s ISO-9001 certified factory
•  On-premises Defense Logistics Agency oversight

Gentex’s SPH series of helmets has a long history with over 200,000 manufactured.  Versions of the SPH helmet include the SPH-3, SPH-4®, SPH-4B, and finally the SPH-5®.  The helmet has been improved many times:
•  The energy-absorbing liner is thicker
•  The nape strap is wider and more comfortable
•  A super comfort liner has replaced the sling suspension
•  A reinforced yoke replaced the chinstrap with snaps on each end
•  Energy-absorbing crushable earcups replaced the rigid and semi-
crushable earcups

Helmet Size Guide

Other Specifications

SPH Helmet Copies

The look, shape, and design of Gentex’s SPH series of helicopter helmets are frequently copied.  The copies, sold under various trade names, look a great deal like genuine SPH helmets, but often contain parts not made according to current specification drawings for the SPH-4B (PS-0020) or the SPH-5 (PS-0028 or PS-0058).

Genuine Gentex SPH-5 commercial helicopter helmets are made according to the latest revision to SPH-5 specification, PS-0058.  They are manufactured in Gentex’s ISO-9001 qualified factory with Defense Logistics Agency oversight, and tested in an AS-9000C certified laboratory.

                                                                                                                

Other Specifications

MIL-H-43925D is an inactive SPH-4B military specification introduced in 1988 and declared inactive by the Department of Defense in 2000.  It has been replaced by SPH-4B specification PS-0020, which has more protective impact requirements and additional requirements for lateral earcup impact and shell penetration.

ANSI Z90.1 is an American National Standard for Motor Vehicular Users Protective Headwear.  It was issued in 1971 but is no longer an active ANSI standard.  Since it is a motor vehicle helmet standard, it does not include all the requirements and tests to which helicopter helmets are subjected. Military specifications often refer to ANSI Z90.1 is used to describe test procedures. Current helicopter helmets, such as the HGU-56/P and SPH-5 are more protective than required by ANSI Z90.1.

MIL-DTL-87174A is the military specification for the Air Force’s HGU-55/P fixed-wing helmet.  The specification is current, but it does not require the level of protection needed for helicopter helmets.