The Type 66 is a combat helmet

Combat helmet

A combat helmet or battle helmet is a type of personal armor designed specifically to protect the head during combat. Helmets are among the oldest forms of personal protective equipment and are known to have been worn by the Akkadians/Sumerians in the 23rd century BC, Mycenaean Greeks since 17th...

 that is used by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. Other GSDF

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...

, MSDF

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

The , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....

 and is also used. It has now been replaced by the Type 88 helmet. Like the American M1 helmet

M1 Helmet

The M1 helmet is a combat helmet that was used by the American military from World War II until it was succeeded by the PASGT helmet beginning in 1985. For over forty years, the M1 was standard issue for the U.S...

upon which it was based, it is made of iron alloy.

Overview

The helmet, being based upon the M1, comprises an outer layer, the metal shell, and an inner liner. The design was improved upon as well as modified to suit the average Japanese male. The liner was changed to a simple plastic molding. The total weight of the helmet and liner is about 1.4 kg.

While the Type 88 helmet replaced it in 1988, the Type 66 continues to be used in some capacities.