Vectored Force Suspension Helmet Liner (VFSHEL) Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Topic No.: N142-085 Topic Title: Vectored Force Suspension Helmet Liner (VFSHEL) Proposal No.: N142-085-0296 Firm: Hy-Tek Manufacturing Co. Inc. 1998 Bucktail Lane Sugar Grove, Illinois 60554-9609 Contact: John Jude Phone: (630) 466-7664 Web Site: www.hytekmfg.com Abstract: To overcome the capability gaps of current ECH suspension and retention liners, Hy-Tek Manufacturing Co. Inc. (HMC) will rely on a novel approach that significantly attenuates the transfer of low and high velocity impact energy to the soldier's head by vectoring a portion of that impact energy along a geometric plane tangential to the soldier's head. Unlike the functionality of current suspension and retention liners that provide only impact energy absorption, the Force Vectoring Suspension Helmet Liner (FVSHEL) will significantly reduce both head acceleration and force impulse transmission through the ECH shell across the full spectrum of blunt, ballistic and blast impacts using force vectoring and energy absorption. Benefits: The primary anticipated benefit of the proposed FVSHEL technology is to save the lives of U.S. military combat soldiers and force providers around the globe. Successful FVSHEL development will facilitate a much higher rate of survivability for soldiers performing dangerous combat missions while reducing permanent incapacitation and disability due to TBI that would otherwise occur without ECH suspension and retention improvements. In addition to the lives saved and TBI prevented, the FVSHEL could provide significant improvements in equipment reliability, reduction in maintenance and repair logistics as well as cost savings for the U.S. Navy. FVSHEL will also provide similar benefits to various commercial and industrial applications if developed and made available to the marketplace as protective technology for sports helmets, motorcycle and bicycle helmets and industrial and construction helmets among others. Return