SSh-60
| SSh-60 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Combat Helmet |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1960-present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 1960-1972[citation needed] |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1.3 kg (2.9 lb)[1] |
The SSh-60 (СШ-60 (Russian: стальной шлем образца 1960 года/stalnoy shlyem, or steel helmet) was a product improvement of the Soviet SSh-40 steel helmet of the Soviet Army and entered production around 1960. It was not fundamentally different from the previous World War 2 era SSh-40, the primary difference being an updated liner/suspension system.
Design
The overall form and shell of the helmet remained unchanged. The internal harness was modified to include four brown vynil flaps (rather than three as with the SSh-40) attached to the dome rivets. The flaps were moved to the top of the helmet along with two rivets and the chin strap.[1][2] The flaps of the liner were threaded together with an adjustable white cord tie and they weren't padded as previous models, allowing the user to wear a fur winter cap (ushanka) beneath the helmet, by adjusting the ties accordingly.[2]
An export version of the SSh-60 exists, designed for sale and exportation to other countries outside of the Soviet Union. It differs from the main issue helmet only with a change to the color of the helmet liner.[citation needed]
While SSh-60 was intended to replace the SSh-40, it never fully did. After the introduction of the newer SSh-68, it continued to be used by several units as mixed issues.[2] During the Soviet-Afghan War, both the SSh-40 and SSh-60 still remained in use with the Soviet Army.[3]
The SSh-60 was exported to some Warsaw Pact members,[2] and other countries including Vietnam, where it was mostly used by North Vietnamese Army anti-aircraft artillery crews during the Vietnam War;[4] Syrian troops were issued with SSh-60s during the Yom Kippur war; Prior to the Iran-Iraq war, the Iraqi Army used the Polish wz. 50 besides SSh-40 and SSh-60 helmets, but these were gradually replaced by the M80 helmet.[5]
Users
Iraq − Replaced by the M80[6]
Soviet Union[7]
Syria[8]
Vietnam − Used by NVA anti-aircraft artillery crews,[4] and Military Police (Vietnamese: Kiem Soat Quan Su, lit. 'Military Control')[9]
References
- ^ a b Monetchikov, Sergey (June 2009). "Uniforms: From helmet to the steel helmet Magazine". Bratishka. No. 6. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Steel Helmet, SSh-60 type: Soviet Army". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ^ Galeotti 2012, p. 192.
- ^ a b Rottman 2012, p. 24.
- ^ McNab 2022, p. 38.
- ^ McNab 2022, pp. 38−39.
- ^ Zaloga 1985, p. 58.
- ^ Campbell 2016, p. 18.
- ^ "Vietnam Ssh60".
Bibliography
- Campbell, David (2016). Israeli Soldier vs Syrian Soldier: Golan Heights 1967–73. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-1331-2.
- Galeotti, Mark (2012). Afghanistan: The Soviet Union's Last War. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-29943-8. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- McNab, Chris (2022). Armies of the Iran–Iraq War 1980–88. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-4558-0.
- Rottman, Gordon L. (2012). North Vietnamese Army Soldier 1958–75. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78200-498-1.
- Zaloga, Steven (1985). Soviet Block Elite Forces. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-0850456318.