The helmet was first issued in 2019 to troops deploying to combat zones in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
[4] The IHPS was deployed with the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division soldiers during the 2019–20 attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
The IHPS is claimed to be 5% lighter than previous helmets, while offering improved blunt force impact, passive hearing and ballistic protection.
[7] The IHPS has an optional mandible with eye shield for maxillofacial protection, and side rails for attaching equipment like flashlights, cameras and helmet mounted headsets.
In late 2021, Avon Protection Ceradyne announced the completed development of a proprietary rail-mounted adapter for 3M-produced Peltor ComTac headsets, likely in response to the common complaint among troops that the helmet previously lacked the communications integration capabilities that are quickly becoming the norm with the rising popularity of high-cut style helmets.