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SINGAPORE – Soldiers in the Singapore Army now receive improved helmets and better fitting Loading Systems (LBS), comprising a vest and belt, to carry their military gear.
Since January of this year, the full-time national military (NSF) in combat units such as command, guards and infantry have received an improved version of the LBS that is more customizable, ergonomic and with better heat dissipation, with the aim of de increase the combat effectiveness of soldiers.
For the first time, two variants of the LBS, improved and standard, were developed to replace the previous integrated cargo vest, which has been in use since 2009.
The standard version will be delivered to all other NSFs, such as those in combat support or combat service support vocations, starting next year.
The announcement comes as the military celebrates its 55th anniversary this month. It was established with the passage of the Singapore Army Bill in Parliament in December 1965.
Reporters were shown the new helmet and LBS at the Selarang camp in Loyang recently.
The LBS allows soldiers to carry the military equipment they need when training in the field, such as their water bottle, ammunition, or communication equipment.
Both variants come with a belt component that is worn via a buckle and a strap that is worn across the shoulders. The belt, designed to be worn on the hips to reduce shoulder strain, is worn separately from the vest that covers the torso area.
Both variants feature multiple adjustment points to ensure a better fit. The upgraded variant also includes a removable body armor carrier.
Since July last year, military recruits have been issued only the belt for training. The upgraded or standard vests can be given to them when they go to other units for further training.
The Defense Ministry said the LBS is made of a strong but lightweight material that gives soldiers greater comfort and improves heat dissipation by 30 percent.
The new helmet, which was launched since October last year, is about 10% lighter than the previous one.
Its high-cut design allows for better compatibility with other equipment worn on the head, such as silencers, communication headsets, and night vision devices. It also has an adjustable padding system for a more comfortable fit.
Lt. Col. Ho Chee Leong, who is director of the Center of Excellence for Soldier Performance (CESP), told reporters that the new equipment provides soldiers with better comfort and fit and, more importantly, greater effectiveness. in combat.
“Taking a human factors engineering approach, we use the anthropomorphic data of our soldiers to inform the design of the various equipment,” he said.
The modular design of the equipment also allows soldiers to customize them based on their mission profiles, so that they do not have to use the full configuration all the time, thus reducing heat stress, he added.
The new helmet offers the same ballistic protection as the old one, even with the lighter, high-cut design, LTC Ho said.
Several agencies, such as Army Infantry and Supply Headquarters, CESP, Defense Science and Technology Agency, DSO National Laboratories, and ST Logistics worked together to evaluate the enhanced personal equipment, which had been in development since 2016.
CESP conducted trials with hundreds of soldiers from across the military, and their feedback was taken on board before the new equipment was launched.
SAF Volunteer Corps servicemen have also been fitted with the new LBS helmet and belt component since March this year.
There are no plans to equip the operationally ready National Military (NSmen) with the new helmets or LBS, with the exception of some artillery units, which will receive the new helmets as it offers better compatibility with hearing protection equipment.
Chief Warrant Officer Heng Song Po, 38, who is a field test NCO at CESP, said the soldiers appreciate the LBS’s improved heat dissipation and load distribution characteristics.
He added that time will be attended during basic military training to ensure that soldiers know how to use the equipment correctly.
Cadet officer Ajey Jeyakumar, 20, found that he could rearrange the padding to better fit his head.
“It’s good during long missions, since I have to wear my helmet for long periods of time and still stay comfortable.”
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