Meanwhile, development was under way of a purpose-built helmet under the SPEAR program, which eventually produced the MICH in the late 1990s[6] and offered in three cuts to allow operator choice in balancing protection and weight to suit their preferences and mission profile.

It can also be fitted with a pair of straps on the rear to keep protective eyewear in place, as well as cloth helmet covers in varying camouflage patterns including M81 Woodland,[5] three-color desert,[5] USMC MARPAT,[2] U.S. Army UCP,[2] Crye MultiCam,[2] and solid black for use with SWAT teams,[2] among numerous other patterns available commercially.

As with its PASGT predecessor, the MICH is often worn with a band around it which features a pair of "cat eyes"—patches, some purely reflective and some also slightly luminous, on the back intended to prevent friendly fire incidents.

This accounts for some of the reduced weight and allows for both greater situational awareness and less obstruction of the wearer's vision, particularly when combined with Interceptor Body Armor.

Previously, soldiers had complained that the high collar of the Interceptor combined with the two-point chinstrap pushed the back of the PASGT helmet forward, in turn moving the helmet brim over their eyes when they attempted to fire from a prone position, this is rectified in the MICH with its reduced profile and four-point chinstrap.

It is set to replace LWH in use by the United States Marine Corps and the ACH and MICH 2000 helmets of the U.S Army, Air Force, and Navy.