Mission:
Provides improved sound attenuation, speech intelligibility and external audio (“helmet hear through”) for Aircrew.

Description:
Communication Ear Plugs (CEP) are a pair of small sound transducers paired with hollow foam ear tips. The foam ear tips increase the sound attenuation already provided by the ear cups on the HGU-56/P Aircrew Integrated Helmet System (AIHS). The sound transducers provide a clear aircraft intercom audio signal through the hollow foam ear tips. As a result, the Aircrew member hears clear communications not degraded by ambient noise. CEP now integrated into new helmets during production.

The Communications Enhancement and Protection System (CEPS) is a commercial off-the-shelf enhancement to the CEP. In addition to being able to hear clearer aircraft intercom audio, the CEPS allow dismounted Aircrew to hear and localize sounds while off the aircraft with ground personnel not connected to the aircraft’s intercom and during escape-and-evade actions while wearing the HGU-56/P AIHS. Dual communication earplugs connect to a pair of tiny microphones that are mounted on the helmet’s ear domes. A toggle switch changes the audio input from the aircraft communications to the ear dome microphones. A gain switch allows the Soldier to adjust audible communication levels. The CEPS is standard equipment on the RWH HGU-56/P, but it can also be retrofitted to the legacy HGU-56/P.