Ukraine Case Study
This case study examines the performance and adaptability of Hard Head Veterans (HHV) ballistic helmets within the context of the Russo-Ukraine war, a generation defining near-peer conflict. Since the onset of the conflict, HHV's helmets have been integral to the equipment used by a wide range of personnel, from international volunteers and Ukrainian special operations units to medical staff and journalists. The study highlights how HHV has leveraged real-time user feedback to improve helmet designs, particularly focusing on comfort, protection, and operational versatility across diverse combat scenarios. Through detailed user testimonials, rigorous ballistic testing results, and an analysis of market position, the case study illustrates how HHV's commitment to innovation has led to life-saving advancements in helmet technology. It concludes with future directions for HHV, emphasizing ongoing research into materials, modularity, and night operation enhancements to continue leading the industry in personal armor solutions.
Introduction:
The Russo-Ukraine war has tested military equipment in one of the most challenging environments of modern warfare, a near-peer conflict. Hard Head Veterans (HHV), an American manufacturer of ballistic helmets, has seen its ballistic helmets used by a diverse array of both combatants and non-combatants since the beginning of the conflict. from international volunteer infantrymen and Ukrainian Special Operations teams to field medics and photojournalists. This case study showcases how HHV's helmets have not only protected lives but also adapted to the unique demands of this once in a generation conflict.
Background:
As Ukraine rallied for international support against the invasion, volunteers equipped themselves with self-bought equipment on their way into the combat zone, including HHV helmets. These helmets have served in multiple roles, ranging from special operations troops conducting maritime operations to photojournalists on the ground to relay information about the war to the rest of the world. Throughout the entirety of the conflict, Hard Head Veterans worked with end-users to collect information and feedback in real-time from the people using the helmets every single day.
Products Overview:
Gen2 and Gen3 Helmets: Designed for durability and cost-effectiveness, using all-aramid construction for broad applicability across a wide-range of mission-sets.
ATE_Lite Helmets: Emphasizing lightweight performance with UHMWPE materials for specialized, high-mobility operations where weight is a top concern.
Diverse Combat Scenarios:
Infantry in front-line defensive positions and assaults: Facing threats from artillery fragmentation and small arms, as well as a myriad of armored and aerial threats to include drones, tanks, rockets, and precision guided munitions and anti-tank rounds.
GUR Operators on the Dnipro: Navigating water-based operations with buoyancy and stability needs. Conducting day and night ambush and raid operations against well-fortified defensive positions and mobile enemy forces.
Combat Medics: Requiring comfort for extended periods during ground vehicle movements and medical evacuations from the front-line to rear areas where medical care is more readily available.
Photojournalists in Bakhmut: Needing minimalistic, non-obstructive and highly-modular gear at a low price point due to being fully self-funded.

The above infographic illustrates two of the most commonly used helmet systems from Hard Head Veterans that are currently being utilized in the Russo-Ukraine war. These systems have been instrumental in providing both protection and ease of use to the end-users on the ground in Ukraine participating in the conflict.
In a survey we conducted with all of our known users in Ukraine, the fidlock chin strap system, and our innovative padding systems have been the two largest standouts, with the fidlock system being appreciated most for its rapid deployment capabilities, and both our comfort and microlattice systems receiving high praise for their comfortability, personalized fit, and improved airflow over traditional systems.
It is also worth noting that early on in the conflict, we received feedback from multiple users asking for a dial retention system to increase the balance of the helmet during night operations. A dial retention system was added to the helmet based on this feedback, giving users more stability when operating with night vision systems.
The operational versatility of HHV helmets across these varied combat scenarios is best illustrated through the firsthand accounts of those who depend on them daily.
“Derek”, a GUR operator with Ukraine’s 8th Regiment, Separate Special Operations, was wearing the above helmet when his unit came under direct fire from Russian artillery. The below text is his re-telling of the events from that day.
"I was taking cover in a half finished position with a couple of my teammates and other friendly soldiers when we took a direct hit in our position by a 152mm shell. It killed a friendly soldier and two of my teammates instantly and wounded another two.
Two of the dead were killed by head wounds, and one of the wounded was seriously wounded by a head wound. It wasn’t for about a week before I noticed the top strip of Velcro on my HHV looked weird. After investigating it a bit I realized I had a piece of shrapnel lodged in the center of my helmet.
On the interior of the helmet you could see a small but noticeable bulge. I removed the piece of shrapnel and from what I could observe, all but a couple mm of the helmet was penetrated. The piece of shrapnel was about the size of a 5.56 projectile.
On a POW rescue mission being led by my team in Nov, 2022 in the Donbas, we were maneuvered on and flanked by enemy tanks and had to retreat. After falling back to a casualty collection point, we were immediately hit with accurate 120mm mortars and 152mm artillery."
Diverse Combat Scenarios:
Market Position: HHV's helmets are distinguished by their protective capabilities, comfort, and adaptability, setting a new benchmark in the industry. Innovations like the micro lattice helmet padding system and the fidlock chin strap system have given HHV helmets an edge in both wearability and protection.
Continuous Improvement: User feedback from Ukraine has driven design changes, re-affirming the commitment from Hard Head Veterans to continuously innovate and improve systems for the individual operator on the ground.
Throughout the conflict, the top threat we have seen emerge is fragmentation from artillery-based systems like unguided rockets, artillery, and precision munitions. In order to better understand this threat, and to best mitigate it, a solid understanding of V50 ballistic limits is needed.

V50 tests are a direct representation of how a helmet will fare against the most common ballistic threat on the near-peer battlefield, fragmentation. These tests simulate the harsh realities of the modern battlefield. Artillery fragmentation, missile blasts, and secondary shrapnel are all too common in the Russo-Ukraine war. The data above, combined with real-world examples of helmet performance, illustrated why Hard Head Veterans remains a top choice for those who need reliable protection in the most unforgiving of environments.
Future Directions:
Material Innovation: Ongoing research into new materials and material combinations to decrease helmet weight while increasing ballistic protection. Sacrificing one for the other is not an option.
Night Operations Enhancements: New helmet covers to improve functionality under night vision with built in counter-weight systems, and additional hook and loop attachment points for further modularity.
Increased Modularity: The development of new rail attachment systems that enable the end-user to have easier attachment access for a wide variety of headset systems as well as compatibility with drone headset systems for FPV drone operators in the field.
Conclusion:
Hard Head Veterans has demonstrated through the Russo-Ukraine conflict that its ballistic helmets are more than just protective gear; they are a testament to innovation and responsiveness to the needs of those in combat. The real-world application of our helmets has led to tangible improvements, from the fidlock chin strap system for rapid deployment to the advanced padding systems that offer personalized comfort and cooling under duress. Feedback from the field, including from users like "Derek" from the Ukrainian GUR, has directly influenced our product evolution, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in protection.
Looking ahead, HHV remains dedicated to advancing the field of personal armor. We are actively exploring new materials and technologies to further reduce weight while enhancing ballistic protection, improving modularity for a broader range of operational needs, and enhancing night operation capabilities. Our helmets will continue to evolve, driven by the harsh lessons learned in Ukraine, ensuring that we not only meet but exceed the expectations of those who rely on our products to keep them safe in the face of danger. Hard Head Veterans is not just about protecting lives; we are about enhancing the capabilities of those who wear our gear, making sure they return home safely.
