Converting M49 General Aviator Protective Masks to M48 Apache Aviator Masks

摘要

The design engineers said that it would be impossible to convert an M49 facepiece to an M48 facepiece without destroying the mask. But they were wrong. Today, Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) employees are converting facepieces and saving money for the American taxpayer. The M48 Apache aviator mask program was implemented at PBA to convert stored M43A1 Type Ⅰ Apache aviator masks into M48 Apache aviator masks. At the same time, a program was implemented to convert stored M43A1 Type Ⅱ general aviator masks to M49s. The major difference between the two masks was the right eye lens. The M43A1 Type Ⅰ and M48 masks had a notched right eye lens for use with the AH-64 Apache signature Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS). Non-Apache aviators don't need this feature, so the lens was rounded in the M43A1 Type Ⅱ and M49. Both masks were adopted as standard in 1996.