Gentex has been doing business for an amazing 125 years! To celebrate, they displayed some of their early helmets at AUSA.
This Marine Corps Combat Vehicle Crewman helmet dates from 1963 a s the Navy flight helmet next to it dates from 1951. They rounded out the display with their latest designs for SOCOM.
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Oct. 14, 2019 – Each day, thousands of military and police forces across the world rely on cutting-edge protection to keep them safe. When it comes to equipping these service members with helmets, decision makers look for ballistic protection they can count on, as well as designs that deliver the right fit, comfort and weight for each end user’s mission and operational environment.
Today, Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, announces new options for decision makers with the availability of its 3M™ Ballistic Helmet F70. The F70 delivers a high level of protection at a light weight that far exceeds conventional (ACH) ballistic helmet specifications. The helmet geometry creates a comfortable and modular design that is well suited for a wide range of missions and includes a novel no thru-hole construction for mounting the NVG shroud, retention system and rails. The elimination of thru-holes increases the shell’s effective protection area, reduces overall system weight by up to 31% (compared to the finished shell of an ACH helmet) and eliminates the risk of bolts becoming secondary projectiles during ballistic events.
The 3M Ballistic Helmet F70 provides V50 fragmentation protection against 17-grain (.22-caliber) fragment-simulating projectile (FSP) at greater than 2,760 feet per second (greater than 840 meters per second). The ballistic shell weight starts at 1.52 pounds in the high-cut version and 1.75 pounds in the mid-cut version. This line of light-weight helmets meets or exceeds all U.S. Army Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) ballistic fragmentation requirements for 2-grain, 4-grain, 16-grain and 64-grain RCC, and 17-grain FSP when tested in accordance with MIL-STD662F.
In addition to the F70, the 3M ballistic helmet portfolio includes the 3M™ L110 and N49 offerings. Designed for military combat operations and counterterrorism police missions, the Combat II L110 helmet can help protect service members from bomb fragmentations, certain rifle projectiles, handgun bullets and blunt impacts. The helmet provides protection against select small-arms projectiles including V50 ballistic limit value greater than 2,400 feet per second (greater than 731 meters per second) against the 7.62 x 51 mm M80 NATO ball projectile.
The Ultra Light Weight Ballistic Bump Helmet N49 is the first multi-use helmet for bump and ballistic operational requirements. At just over one pound (shell weight, size L), the N49 is the lightest helmet to provide ballistic fragmentation and blunt impact protection. It provides V50 protection against 17-grain (.22-caliber) FSP at greater than 2,200 feet per second (greater than 670 meters per second) when tested in accordance to STANAG 2920.
“Having a wide range of choices is critical, as ballistic protection and mobility requirements differ for each end user,” said Terry Griffith, defense business manager, 3M Advanced Materials Division. “But with all the different helmet options available in the marketplace – and the varying information about them – it can be a struggle to compare them and evaluate which one best meets the requirements. Identifying the performance-to-weight ratio of different helmets can bring clarity to this decision-making process.”
A performance-to-weight ratio is calculated by identifying the V50 ballistic resistance against the 17-grain .22-caliber FSP, then dividing it by the helmet shell aerial density. 3M understands the value and supports the use of this ratio to give decision makers a consistent means of comparing helmet choices.
3M will discuss the performance-to-weight ratio and showcase its portfolio at booth 2442 at the UASA 2019 Annual Meeting and Exposition, October 14-18, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M, visit www.3M.com/ballistichelmets.
Carbondale, PA, October 11, 2019. Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel announced today that its new Ops-Core® FAST SF Carbon Composite Helmet System has been chosen by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to fulfill their contract for Special Operations Forces Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements (SPEAR) Family of Tactical Headborne Systems (FTHS) — Coxswain Helmet System. The five-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Firm Fixed Price (FFP) production contract carries a maximum value of $95M.
Gentex Corporation has been supplying products to USSOCOM since its activation in 1987 and is focused on designing and delivering solutions driven by end user input. Just recently, the company was awarded contracts for the USSOCOM SPEAR FTHS Ballistic and Non-Ballistic Helmets, as well as the USSOCOM Communication Accessory Suite Land (CASL) program for it’s Ops-Core Adaptive Mission Platform (AMP™) Communication Headset.
“We’re extremely pleased to have been chosen to provide the Coxswain Helmet System for USSOCOM,” said Tom Short, vice president of Ground Systems, Gentex Corporation. “The FTHS Coxswain contract validates our design process and helmet system innovations while bringing the FTHS Ballistic/Non-Ballistic and FTHS Coxswain Helmets together as one family of headborne systems with interchangeable accessories, common parts and simplified logistics.”
The FTHS Coxswain Helmet System consists of the Ops-Core FAST FTHS Carbon Composite Helmet with modular Ops-Core accessories: Step-In Visors with clear and tinted lenses, NVG Snap Shields, FAST Ballistic and Carbon Composite Mandibles, and FAST Low Profile Ballistic Appliques. Additionally, the helmets will come with a variety of Ops-Core VAS shroud options, helmet covers, ARCTM rails, pads, exterior Velcro and will be available in four sizes with various color/camouflage options. The Ops-Core FAST FTHS Carbon Composite Helmet is available today and commercial versions of the Coxswain Helmet System accessories will be available later this year.
Part of Gentex Corporation’s portfolio of helmet systems for defense, emergency response, and security forces, the focus and dedication of the company’s Ops-Core brand remains the same – protecting elite forces. The modular, scalable, open-architecture design of Ops-Core products allows for the seamless integration and true system level performance.
shop.gentexcorp.com/ops-core-fast-sf-carbon-composite-helmet
Raptor Tactical has introduced a World War Two-style net Helmet cover for the Army Combat Helmet.
Shown over a MultiCam cloth cover. Mesh is OD.
www.raptortactical.com/home/232-army-combat-helmet-net-cover-wwii-style
Kalispell, MT- The Peacemaker Industries Helmet Bag is designed to conveniently carry a helmet and all your accessories including NVG’s, together in one place. This avoids the frustrating moments of digging around looking for your night vision gear. It also ensures that everything is protected.
The Helmet Bag is made from a durable water resistant fabric with a water resistant zipper to keep your gear dry in wet conditions, while padding around the bag protects items from bumps and drops. The bag features several sturdy nylon carry handles that can also be used as attachment points in larger bags or cases. An included accessory bag fits snugly under your helmet to keep all your gear organized. The inside of the bag is felt lined to further protect gear and to work with Velcro strips. The snowy gray color allows the bag to be used in more covert situations and makes it easier to spot in a larger bag or low visibility areas.
MSRP for the Peacemaker Industries Helmet Bag is $95.00. For further information or to order visit www.peacemakerindustries.com.
Yesterday in the Hague Netherlands, the European Patent Office (EPO) once again confirmed that Cleveland-based Team Wendy’s European patent directed to its CAM FIT™ Retention System was valid and entitled to a priority date of at least October 2012. The opposition to Team Wendy’s patent was filed by ABG Intellectual Property Law, S.L. against Team Wendy’s sister company that owns the European Patent, Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC (IPH). Although the identity of ABG’s client was not disclosed during the opposition, evidence submitted by ABG directly pointed to FECSA SL, a Spanish company that has been attacking Team Wendy’s CAM FIT™ Retention System IP for more than two years. The EPO found ABG’s opposition unsuccessful on all grounds and Team Wendy’s patent – European Patent No. 2874512 titled “Helmet Retention System” – shall be maintained as granted.
Team Wendy CEO Jose Rizo-Patron said that Team Wendy invests heavily in unique, innovative products and systems designs and will continue to aggressively defend its intellectual property. “We are very pleased with the ruling coming out of the EPO. It is regrettable that this particular company chose a path forward that the EPO has declared a dead-end in lieu of investing in their own design and development. Our IP is firmly grounded and this attempt to have it invalidated was rejected out of hand by the EPO,” he said. “The CAM FIT™ Retention System has been tremendously successful and remains the gold standard for tactical helmet systems worldwide.”
Team Wendy was represented in the opposition by Dr. Matthew Barton of Forresters in Munich, Germany and Mark W. McDougall of Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP in Cleveland, Ohio.
Montreal, Quebec (September 9, 2019) – Revision—the world leader in innovative head protection systems and soldier solutions—has been selected by the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) to supply Batlskin Viper® P6N helmet systems for Dutch Military Forces. The contract for delivery of approximately 48,800 combat helmets was awarded on a full and open competition basis to Revision. Additionally, a 15-year maintenance and support agreement was established, with an estimated completion date of 2034. The bespoke helmet system, developed to the Dutch MoD’s rigorous performance standards and weight requirements, represents the first major advancement in helmet technology for Dutch Military Forces in over 20 years.
“We are extremely proud of the helmet suite that we developed for the Dutch MoD,” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO, Revision. “Our experienced team of engineers and designers worked with the latest materials to build a user-centric system that offers better protection, optimized fit, reduced weight, and enhanced integration options. Combined, these features ultimately lead to improved operational effectiveness for the soldier. The Dutch MoD’s move to Revision’s Viper P6N system follows the trend started by Denmark and the United Kingdom to upgrade their programs to Revision’s next generation helmets and we expect other NATO countries will follow suit. Our continued investment in cutting-edge materials and efficient, high-volume manufacturing processes cement Revision’s position to meet the growing global demand for customized advanced military helmet systems.”
“The current version [Dutch helmet] dates from the early 1990s and is in urgent need of replacement,” said the Dutch project lead quoted in DMO Magazine, Materieel Gezien (volume 06, 2019). “The helmet from Revision Military was the best in the tests. Among other things, the helmets received the highest rating from the users in the test group.”
The Viper P6N helmet was developed to the exacting standards set by the Dutch MoD, and was selected in part after extensive user trials – proving that Revision’s helmets are chosen by end-users due to comfort, integration and weight. The Viper P6N helmet shell utilized advanced materials (including Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene – UHMWPE) and processes to exceed high protection standards in a lightweight, adaptable and comfortable system. More than 55,000 helmet covers in the new Dutch camouflage, “Netherlands Fractal Pattern” will be supplied in green, tan and white, and all systems will include Revision’s best-in-class APEX Liner system that is infinitely customizable for ultimate comfort and impact protection. Additional accessories include lightweight skeletonized accessory rails and the Wilcox® L4 Shroud. Revision will begin delivering helmet systems to the Dutch MoD later this year.
