The IHPS helmet is one of the most capable ballistic helmets in service today. Issued to U.S. Army soldiers as part of the Soldier Protection Initiative, it replaced the older Advanced Combat Helmet and set a new standard for protection, weight, and modularity.
Whether you are a veteran looking to run a familiar platform on the civilian market, a gear enthusiast building out a serious helmet setup, or someone just trying to understand what makes the IHPS different, this guide covers everything you need to know, including compatible accessories that help you get the most out of it.
What Is the IHPS Helmet?
The IHPS stands for Integrated Head Protection System. It is a ballistic combat helmet developed as part of the U.S. Army's Soldier Protection Initiative (SPI), a broader program designed to upgrade soldier survivability across multiple equipment categories.
The helmet was developed by Revision Military and fielded beginning around 2019. It comes in two variants: a base helmet for general use, and a higher-protection Top Cover attachment for increased overhead fragmentation protection. The system is designed from the ground up to be modular, meaning it accepts a wide range of accessories without requiring adapters or workarounds.
The IHPS is built around a high-cut shell profile, which cuts above the ears to allow better compatibility with communications headsets and tactical hearing protection. This makes it a highly practical platform for operators who need to run comms alongside ballistic protection.
IHPS Helmet Protection Level: What Does It Stop?
The IHPS meets and exceeds the NIJ Level IIIA standard for ballistic helmets, which covers protection against handgun rounds up to .44 Magnum. But the IHPS goes further than standard IIIA, offering enhanced protection against higher-velocity threats including 9mm and .357 SIG at close range.
Here is a practical breakdown of what the protection level means:
- Ballistic fragmentation: The IHPS is rated to protect against fragmentation from grenades, IEDs, and artillery at close distances.
- Handgun rounds: NIJ IIIA stops most common handgun calibers including 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and .44 Magnum.
- Rifle rounds: The base helmet shell does not stop rifle rounds. No standard combat helmet currently stops high-velocity rifle fire at the shell level. The IHPS is not an exception to this.
- Blunt impact: The internal suspension system is designed to reduce blunt impact trauma, including from falls and non-penetrating strikes.
It is worth being straightforward about this: ballistic helmets protect against fragmentation and pistol-caliber threats. They are not rated for rifle fire, and claims suggesting otherwise should be treated with skepticism.
IHPS vs. ACH: How Does It Compare to the Advanced Combat Helmet?
The Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) was the previous standard-issue U.S. Army helmet before the IHPS replaced it. Understanding the differences helps explain why the upgrade mattered.
Shell Profile
The ACH uses a mid-cut profile that covers more of the ear area. The IHPS uses a high-cut profile, cutting above the ears entirely. This makes the IHPS significantly more compatible with over-ear communications headsets and hearing protection devices, which is a real operational advantage.
Weight
The IHPS is lighter than the ACH for the same or better protection level. The exact weight varies by size, but the IHPS uses advanced composite materials that improve the protection-to-weight ratio. Less weight on the head means less fatigue during extended operations and better compatibility with front-heavy accessories like night vision devices.
Accessory Compatibility
The ACH uses an older rail system and shroud standard. The IHPS was designed with a standardized accessory interface from the start, making it broadly compatible with modern mounting solutions including arc rails, NVG shrouds, and side rail accessories. This is one of the most significant practical differences between the two helmets.
Suspension System
The IHPS uses an updated internal suspension and pad system compared to the ACH. The pad system provides better retention, improved blunt impact absorption, and a more stable platform for mounting front-heavy devices like night vision goggles.
IHPS Helmet Sizing: How to Find the Right Fit
The IHPS is available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large. Finding the correct size is critical. A helmet that fits poorly will shift during movement, reduce the effectiveness of the suspension system, and make accessories like NVGs harder to use accurately.
To find your size, measure the circumference of your head about one inch above your eyebrows, which is the widest part of your skull. Use a flexible measuring tape and take the measurement in centimeters.
- Small: approximately 52 to 55 cm
- Medium: approximately 55 to 58 cm
- Large: approximately 58 to 61 cm
- X-Large: approximately 61 to 64 cm
After selecting the correct shell size, the internal pad and retention system should be adjusted to achieve a snug, stable fit. The helmet should not rock forward, backward, or side to side when you shake your head. If it moves, tighten the retention system or swap pad thicknesses.
IHPS Helmet Accessories: Building a Complete Setup
The modular design of the IHPS is one of its biggest strengths. The helmet is built to accept a full ecosystem of accessories, and understanding which accessories fit and how they attach is the key to getting a functional, balanced setup.
NVG Shroud and Night Vision Mounting
The front of the IHPS accepts a standard NVG shroud that allows you to mount monocular or binocular night vision devices. The shroud sits at the front of the helmet on a fixed or rotating mount, and the NVG arm extends the device out in front of your dominant eye.
When running night vision, weight balance becomes critical. A monocular NVG like the PVS-14 shifts the helmet's center of gravity significantly forward. A binocular system like the GPNVG-18 adds even more front weight. Managing this is not just a comfort issue; it affects how long you can operate effectively.
NVG Counterweight
An NVG counterweight mounts to the rear of the helmet to offset the front-heavy weight added by night vision devices. This is not an optional luxury item if you are running NVGs for any extended period. Without a counterweight, the constant forward pull creates neck fatigue and reduces situational awareness over time.
A properly matched counterweight restores the helmet's balance point to near center, reducing strain significantly. Counterweights typically attach to the rear of the helmet via a Velcro or MOLLE-compatible pouch that sits in the rear pad area. Look for counterweights compatible with the IHPS retention system and sized to match your NVG weight load.
Arc Rail System
The arc rail is the curved side rail system that runs along both sides of the IHPS shell. These rails accept a wide range of accessories using standardized mounting hardware.
Common arc rail accessories include:
- Tactical lights and weapon-independent illumination tools
- Camera mounts for helmet-mounted action cameras
- Goggle retention clips to secure ballistic goggles or eye protection
- Ear protection adapter mounts for attaching hearing protection devices
Arc rail adapters allow you to use accessories designed for other rail standards on the IHPS arc rails. If you have accessories from a previous helmet platform, a quality arc rail adapter can make them compatible without requiring a full accessory replacement.
Peltor Helmet Mount and Comms Integration
One of the most common accessories on any high-cut helmet is a communications headset, and the 3M Peltor ComTac series is among the most widely used in both military and civilian circles.
A Peltor helmet mount attaches the ComTac headset directly to the arc rails of the IHPS, holding the ear cups in the correct position against your ears without requiring a separate headband. This keeps the headset stable during movement and makes it significantly easier to don and doff your helmet without removing your comms.
The IHPS high-cut profile is specifically designed with this use case in mind. The ear cutout gives the ComTac ear cups direct access to your ears, and the arc rails provide a solid mounting point on both sides. A properly installed Peltor helmet mount on an IHPS is one of the cleanest, most functional comms setups available.
Walker Razor Helmet Mount
The Walker Razor is a popular electronic ear pro option that offers active hearing protection with a lower profile than the ComTac series. Like the Peltor, the Walker Razor can be helmet-mounted on the IHPS arc rails using a compatible helmet mount adapter.
The Walker Razor helmet mount keeps the ear cups positioned correctly without the headband, freeing up head space and reducing overall profile. For shooters or operators who prefer the Walker Razor over the Peltor platform, a dedicated helmet mount makes the IHPS setup complete.
Helmet Cover
A helmet cover serves multiple purposes beyond basic concealment. It breaks up the hard outline of the helmet shell, can carry visual cues like infrared patches for identification, and protects the shell surface from scratches and UV exposure.
IHPS-compatible helmet covers are sized to fit the high-cut shell profile. Make sure you are using a cover designed for the IHPS or a universal high-cut helmet cover rather than one designed for the ACH or MICH profiles, which have different geometry around the ear cutouts.
IHPS Top Cover
The IHPS Top Cover is an official accessory that attaches to the top of the helmet shell to provide additional overhead fragmentation protection. It was designed specifically for the IHPS system and is not compatible with other helmet platforms. The Top Cover adds weight but significantly improves protection against overhead fragmentation threats, making it relevant for specific operational environments.
How to Mount a Peltor Headset to an IHPS Helmet
This is one of the most searched questions about the IHPS, and the process is straightforward once you have the right hardware.
What you need:
- IHPS helmet with arc rails installed
- 3M Peltor ComTac headset (any current generation)
- Peltor ComTac helmet mount adapter set (one per side)
Steps:
- Remove the headband from the ComTac ear cups by pressing the release tabs on each cup and sliding the band out.
- Attach the helmet mount adapter to each ear cup in place of the headband connection point.
- Slide each adapter onto the arc rail of the IHPS at the appropriate position for your ear height.
- Adjust the cup position forward or backward until the ear cups sit flush against your ears when the helmet is properly fitted.
- Lock the adapters in place using the retention mechanism on each mount.
- Put the helmet on and shake your head to confirm everything is secure. The ear cups should not shift or rotate.
If the cups are sitting too high or too low, readjust the mounting position on the arc rail. The correct position varies slightly based on head shape and helmet fit, so take the time to dial it in before use.
IHPS Helmet on the Civilian Market
The IHPS is a military-issue helmet, but surplus and commercial versions have become available through various channels. Understanding what you are buying is important before spending significant money on a helmet.
Genuine IHPS vs. Commercial Equivalents
Genuine IHPS helmets are manufactured by Revision Military to military specification. Commercial versions that offer a similar high-cut profile and accessory compatibility are available from several manufacturers, but they may differ in ballistic rating, materials, and accessory interface standards.
When purchasing any ballistic helmet, look for:
- A documented ballistic rating with test data, not just a stated NIJ level
- Manufacturer documentation confirming the shell material and protection standard
- Clear compatibility information for the accessory mounting system
A helmet is a safety-critical piece of equipment. Prioritize verified protection ratings over price when making a purchase decision.
Price Expectations
Genuine ballistic helmets at IHPS protection levels typically run from $800 to over $1,500 depending on size, source, and included accessories. Helmets priced significantly below this range for claimed ballistic protection should be researched carefully before purchase.
If your primary interest is the accessory ecosystem and modularity rather than ballistic protection, a non-ballistic bump helmet using the same accessory standards is a significantly more affordable option for range use and training.
Frequently Asked Questions About the IHPS Helmet
What does IHPS stand for?
IHPS stands for Integrated Head Protection System. It is the designation given to the helmet system developed for the U.S. Army's Soldier Protection Initiative.
Who makes the IHPS helmet?
The IHPS is manufactured by Revision Military, a Canadian-American company that specializes in military eye protection, helmets, and other soldier protection equipment. Revision won the U.S. Army contract for the IHPS in 2018.
Is the IHPS helmet legal to own as a civilian?
In the United States, civilians can legally own and purchase ballistic helmets in most states. Some states have restrictions on body armor ownership for civilians, so it is worth checking your local laws. The helmet itself is not a regulated item at the federal level.
What rail system does the IHPS use?
The IHPS uses the arc rail system, a curved side rail standard widely used on modern high-cut helmets. Arc rails accept a broad range of mounting hardware from multiple manufacturers, making the IHPS highly compatible with third-party accessories.
Can I use ACH accessories on the IHPS?
Some accessories are cross-compatible, but many are not. The ACH uses a different rail standard and a different shell profile, so accessories designed specifically for the ACH may not fit the IHPS without an adapter. Always verify compatibility before purchasing accessories for an IHPS build.
What is the weight of the IHPS helmet?
The weight of the IHPS varies by size, but the medium shell typically weighs around 3 pounds without accessories. This is lighter than the ACH at equivalent sizes, thanks to the advanced composite materials used in the shell construction. Adding accessories like NVGs, counterweights, and helmet-mounted comms will increase the total system weight.
Does the IHPS work with GPNVG-18 panoramic NVGs?
Yes. The IHPS NVG shroud is compatible with the GPNVG-18 bridge mount. However, the GPNVG-18 is significantly heavier than a monocular system, which makes a properly fitted NVG counterweight even more important when running this setup.
Building Your IHPS Helmet Setup: A Practical Summary
If you are putting together a complete IHPS-based helmet setup, here is a practical starting point organized by priority:
Core Setup
- IHPS helmet shell in the correct size
- Properly fitted pad and retention system
- NVG shroud if running night vision
Comms and Hearing Protection
- Peltor ComTac or Walker Razor ear pro
- Peltor or Walker arc rail helmet mount adapter
- PTT device compatible with your radio system
Weight Management
- NVG counterweight sized to your NVG load
- Keep accessory weight as low as practical for your mission requirements
Additional Accessories
- Arc rail adapters for any accessories using non-standard mounting hardware
- Helmet cover for profile and surface protection
- Retention system check and pad swap if needed for a secure fit
Final Thoughts
The IHPS helmet is a purpose-built platform designed around the real requirements of modern infantry operations. Its high-cut profile, updated suspension, and built-in accessory compatibility make it one of the most functional ballistic helmet systems available.
Getting the most out of it comes down to fit and accessories. A correctly fitted helmet with the right mounting solutions for your comms, NVGs, and ear protection turns a great helmet into a complete, mission-ready system.
Bifrost Gear carries a full range of IHPS-compatible accessories including arc rail adapters, Peltor helmet mounts, NVG counterweights, and more. If you are building out your helmet setup, browse our accessories catalog to find the mounting solutions that work with your specific configuration.