The Ops-Core Future Assault Shell Technology (FAST) Helmet, also known as the FAST helmet, is an American combat helmet used by special operations forces and law enforcement tactical organizations in various countries, as well as the current standard protective headgear of the Norwegian Armed Forces.
| Future Assault Shell Technology helmet | |
|---|---|
 Ops-Core FAST Helmet | |
| Type | Combat helmet |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2009–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Global War on Terrorism War in Afghanistan Iraq War War on Drugs Syrian Civil War Kurdish-Turkish War Second Libyan Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | U.S. Army Research Laboratory in collaboration with the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center and the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier |
| Manufacturer | Ops-Core (a part of Gentex) |
| Produced | 2007 – present |
| Variants | ballistic:
non-ballistic:
|
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 667–1592 g (1.47–3.51 lbs) |
The FAST helmet series features a distinctive shell shape, with ear cut geometry which extends coverage over the rear occipital bone without load carrier interference, and optimizes weight distribution for increased stability, integration, balance, and comfort. The helmet features various suspension and retention systems, and ARC rails which, similar to picatinny rails, enable users to mount items like helmet lights and cameras.
History
editThe FAST helmet was developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in collaboration with the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center and the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier as part of the Army Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program, which also led to the development of the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH).[1][2]
The name FAST helmet was coined by a manufacturing company called Ops-Core in 2005.[3] In 2008, Ops-Core showed off their prototype helmet with their Head-Loc™ Helmet Retention System (a.k.a. Head-Loc Retention System) at the 2008 SHOT Show convention. The helmet was publicly revealed in 2009 at the annual SHOT Show.[4] It was issued to U.S. special forces operators deployed in Afghanistan.[5]
In 2019, U.S. Special Operations Command awarded Gentex a contract worth $95 million to supply Ops-Core FAST SF Super High Cut Helmets that were released in 2018.[6]
Development
editCompared to standard combat helmets, the FAST helmet offers up to 25% weight reduction and is notable for its early use of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers (UHMWPE) in its design.[1][2] It was also designed to allow outside features such as wearing communications headsets which can be attached with rail adapters.[7]
Design
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The FAST helmet ranges in weight from about 667–1592 g (1.47–3.51 lbs). The type of UHMWPE material for the ballistic FAST models provides increased protection against NIJ Level IIIA handgun rounds. It can be fitted with a mounting bracket, patented first in 2014,[8] for accessories like night vision goggles and communications headsets,[9] similar to PASGT and MICH.[10] Users can wear it with different communications headsets with ease and comfort. The Velcro featured on to the helmet also allows for the wearer to attach national flag or the emblem of unit which they belong to, in addition to other IFF (Identification friend or foe) patches such as call sign and blood type.
It has different color options, such as foliage green, black, olive green, ranger green, tan 499, urban grey, MultiCam and desert MARPAT.[11] As well as having mesh and cloth helmet covers in varying camouflage patterns.
The FAST RF1 High Cut Helmet System released in 2021 is a rifle rated ballistic helmet at an average of 3.5 lbs (1592 grams) able to protect against rifle rounds like the 7.62×39mm and 7.62x51mm due to the 0.400" (10.16mm) shell thickness. The different color options are tan 499, ranger green, MultiCam, black, and urban gray.[12]
The FAST XR Helmet System released in 2022 represents an intermediate in protection between the SF line of helmets and the RF1 Helmet System, protecting against 7.62×39mm rifle rounds at a distance of 10 feet, but not against larger rounds such as 7.62×51mm. This is due to having a shell thickness of 0.280" (7.112mm). It is far lighter than the RF1, averaging at only about half a pound heavier than the SF helmet, depending on the type of chinstrap. It is available in Tan 499, Ranger Green, MultiCam, Black, and Urban Gray.[13]
In addition to military and law enforcement, the non-ballistic version of the helmet also has gained considerable popularity among civilian occupations, such as outdoor sportsmen, journalists, disaster relief personnel and other field workers due to its modular design.[citation needed]
Users
editThe FAST family of helmets are ubiquitous across military, police, and other uniformed services around the world.[14]
Current
edit
Algeria: Used by the Algerian special forces.[15]
Austria: 20,000 Sentry XP Mid Cut-type helmets ordered in 2016, adopted by the Austrian Armed Forces in 2017.[16]
Armenia: Mostly used by special forces. Few used by reconnaissance, scout, and infantry divisions. Seen in 2021 Armed Forces of Armenia exercises.
Brazil: Used by the Brazilian Army and the Brazilian Marine Corps.
Chile: Used by the Special Forces of the Chilean Army.[17]
Denmark: Used by the Jaeger Corps and other SOKOM units.[18]
Finland: Worn by Finnish Naval Special Forces Coastal Jaegers and the Guards Jaeger Regiment's urban jaegers as well as other front-line troops.[19][20]
Georgia: Used by police and state security special units. DH MK-III made by STC Delta issued to GSOF and other military units.[21][22][23]
Malaysia: In 2016, a contract was signed with Usahawan PSE Sdn Bhd to supply FAST helmets to the Malaysian military under RM45.9 million.[24] The first Malaysian unit issued with the helmet is the 7th Royal Ranger Regiment.[25]
Norway: In 2011, the Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization (NDLO) selected the FAST helmet as the new standard issue protective headgear for the Norwegian Army and National Guard. The decision was made after positive results from rounds of ballistic and safety testing and has been previously fielded by the Norwegian Special Forces in both Afghanistan and Iraq.[26] This replaces the PASGT made by Cato Ringstad.[27]
Philippines: Different variations of Ops Core FAST. helmets and clone copies are used by different units in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police but the most notable users are the Philippine NAVSOCOM as they are the first unit to use them starting late 2015.[28][better source needed]
Poland: FAST Ballistic High Cut helmets used by JW GROM and JW Formoza operators. 50 thousand HP-05 ordered for Polish Army.[29]
Serbia: FAST helmets used by most Gendarmerie units.[30]
Sweden: FAST Maritime Helmets used by Särskilda operationsgruppen.[29]
Turkey: Used by special forces of Turkish Armed Forces, with a reported incident where a Turkish soldier's life was saved when his Ops-Core Sentry-type helmet was shot at in 2015.[31]
Ukraine: Used by Special Operations Forces.[32] Also sees a rapid use with the National Guard of Ukraine upon Russian buildup on border in 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.
United Arab Emirates: The UAE Presidential Guard is equipped with the FAST Ballistic High Cut helmet, announced in 2013.[33]
United Kingdom: Used by the Pathfinder Platoon, Royal Marines and the United Kingdom Special Forces. High Cut helmets are also in use by CTSFO units of Metropolitan Police Service.
United States: Used by special operations forces. FAST XP and FTHS is used by Delta Force. FAST Maritime and FTHS is used by DEVGRU. Navy SEALs have used the LBH with AOR1 shell until it was replaced by FTHS. LBH with AOR2 shell is used by SWCC. AFSOC, Special Forces, 75th Ranger Regiment and Marine Raider Regiment use the FAST Maritime[1][34][6] and the FTHS.
- In use with the LAPD SWAT, where a SWAT officer credited the helmet for saving his life from being shot in the head in 2017.[35] Also used by the NYPD ESU.
- Small number of FAST SF helmets purchased by the FBI SWAT teams.[36] Also seen use by FBI Hostage Rescue Team operators.
Former
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Afghanistan: Used by the Afghan National Army Commando Corps.[37]
Gallery
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References
edit- ^ a b c "ARL-led program enables new manufacturing processes for ballistic protection". EurekaAlert!. May 16, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ a b National Research Council (2014). "Evolution of Combat Helmets based". Review of Department of Defense Test Protocols for Combat Helmets. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
- ^ "THE FAST HELMET | FUTURE ASSAULT SHELL TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED". Hard Head Veterans. June 1, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ "Ops-Core Releases New Products - Soldier Systems Daily". 4 March 2009.
- ^ Crane+, David. "Ops-Core FAST Ballistic Helmet (Crye MultiCam Camo Pattern?) Military Combat Helmet with FAST-ARC Accessory Rail Connectors and Head-Loc Chinstrap Retention System Going Operational in Afghanistan with U.S. Army Special Forces: FAST Helmet Demo Video, and Contour HD Tactical Helmet Cam (Camera) Photos!". DefenseReview.com (DR): An online tactical technology and military defense technology magazine with particular focus on the latest and greatest tactical firearms news (tactical gun news), tactical gear news and tactical shooting news.
- ^ a b "US Special Operations Command reveals new helmet for operators | SOFREP".
- ^ Scharine, Angelique; Weatherless, Rachel (September 2013). "Evaluation of Variants of 3M Peltor ComTAC Tactical Communication and Protection System (TCAPS) Headsets: Measures of Hearing Protection and Auditory Performance". U.S. Army Research Laboratory – via ResearchGate.
- ^ "Helmet mounted rail".
- ^ https://www.equipnor.com/media/1550/2015_ops-core_catalog.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Canipe Correspondence - Helmets: State of the Art Then and Now - Soldier Systems Daily". soldiersystems.net. 18 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2017-10-10. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
- ^ "NOWAR security equipment GMBH -".
- ^ "Ops-Core FAST RF1 High Cut Helmet System". Gentex Corporation. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
- ^ "Ops-Core FAST XR High Cut Helmet System". Gentex Corporation. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
- ^ Beekman, Christian (2015-06-12). "Combat Helmets Have Moved Beyond Just Protection". Task & Purpose. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ Akramov (2020-10-29). "Algérie: Gladius 2.0 comme système de soldat des forces spéciales". MENADEFENSE (in French). Retrieved 2022-06-19.
- ^ "New weapons and personal gear for Austrian soldiers - sipol.at". Archived from the original on 2019-08-17. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
- ^ "Ejército gradúa a integrantes del curso de Fuerzas Especiales 2020". 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Night Hawk afsluttet". Forsvaret. 7 October 2021.
- ^ Oinas-Panuma, Olga (4 June 2022). "Erään yksikön asuvalinta lippujuhlan päivän paraatissa kiinnitti katsojien huomion – "Tämä oli ensimmäinen kerta"". Ilta-Sanomat. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
- ^ Airo, Paavo (2023-04-03). "Uusia kypäriä Puolustusvoimille – pimeätaistelussa tarvittavien välineiden käyttö helpottuu". Reserviläinen (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Tactical Ballistic Helmet DH MK-III". www.delta.gov.ge. 17 November 2023.
- ^ "თავდაცვის სამინისტროს სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალებს ახალი აღჭურვილობა გადაეცა". www.palitranews.ge (in Georgian). 12 February 2021.
- ^ ""შამქორი 2024" ვაზიანის პოლიგონზე საჩვენებელი სწავლებით დასრულდა". mod.gov.ge (in Georgian). 19 June 2024.
- ^ "Contracts Worth US$ 745 Million Announced At DSA 2016". www.defenseworld.net.
- ^ "New Ballistic Helmets for the Army - Malaysian Defence". 17 February 2017.
- ^ "Ops-Core Helmets for the whole Norwegian Army". Military Times. September 7, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ "Ops-Core Wins Norwegian Helmet Contract - Soldier Systems Daily". 8 September 2011.
- ^ "An Overview of Philippine Elite & Special Forces". Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute. 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ a b "Shot Show 2013 | Special-Ops.pl - Portal Ludzi Akcji". www.special-ops.pl. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ https://specijalne-jedinice.com/srbija/zandarmerija-english.php
- ^ "Ops-Core Helmet Saves Turkish Soldier's Life - Soldier Systems Daily". 10 December 2015.
- ^ "Ukrainian Spetnaz's Weapons and Gear May Show an American Touch". 8 June 2017.
- ^ "Ops-Core Awarded Contract to Supply UAE with the Ops-Core FAST Ballistic High Cut (XP) Helmet". Gentex. 12 November 2013.
- ^ "Combat Helmets Have Moved Beyond Just Protection". Task & Purpose. 12 June 2015. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ "Ops-Core Helmet Saves LAPD SWAT Officer's Life - Soldier Systems Daily". 26 June 2017.
- ^ "DJF192200PR0001495 - DJF192200PR0001495 - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities". www.fbo.gov. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Graphic Video Reportedly Shows Taliban Executing Afghan SF Prisoners". 10 July 2021.
External links
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