Investigation leads to Army helmet recall

[Nonno]

"NEWARK -- The owners of a Hebron company that makes Advanced Combat Helmets said they were blind-sided by the sudden U.S. Army recall of 44,000 helmets it manufactured.

ArmorSource owners Larry Dixon and Don Blake said Monday the company's helmets consistently outperformed all competitors and passed every Army test. They also said they learned of the recall through the media and have yet to hear from the Army.

"It's absolutely crazy," Dixon told CentralOhio.com following an interview on CNN. "This thing has gotten out of control really fast.

"We're getting crucified and haven't had a chance to hear what the allegations are. Our products are better than anyone else out there, bar none. At least we should have our day in court."

The Army told reporters Monday it decided to retest the helmets after learning about a Justice Department investigation into the local military contractor and had concerns the helmets offer substandard ballistic protection.

The recall of 44,000 helmets made by ArmorSource, formerly Rabintex USA, and 55,000 that are in storage represent $25 million of product, Dixon said.

"There is evidence that ArmorSource and Rabintex ACHs were produced using unauthorized manufacturing practices, defective materials and improper quality procedures which could potentially reduce ballistic and fragmentation protection," according to an All Army Activities message released Friday."

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