Recon Grenadier Helmet

Originally a civilian design for an enclosed, environmentally-sealed breath mask/hardhat combination, the headgear that became the Recon Grenadier helmet was initially intended for exploration in hazardous environments and underground caverns. With a novel four-filter, "double rebreather" configuration, it was designed to protect the user from poisonous atmospheres, caustic gas deposits, radiation, and pathogen exposure; as well as the more mundane dangers of falls and blunt-force impacts.

Manufactured in hopes of an official contract with the Wormhole Expedition fleets, it was ultimately sidelined by Terran Republic officials in favor of the more time-tested and conservatively designed MK 12-CFOL Mining Helmet. This lead to the helmets being sold off to a much smaller contracting firm instead, one of many that would eventually side under the aegis of the New Conglomerate.

When war broke out on Auraxis, it was found by members of the New Conglomerate's Second Recon corps that the already-sturdy helmet's rebreather also rendered the wearer nearly impervious to nerve agents and chemical weapons. At their request, the design was adapted into a combat helmet; further reinforced against ballistic impact, supplemented with a gorget for extra neck protection, and shipped directly to the frontlines.