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Archive for the ‘Helmets’ Category

TNVC – Mohawk Counterweight

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016

The TNVC Mohawk Mk1 is a full spectrum counterweight / storage system for the modern combat helmet. Incorporating operator feedback as well as their staff’s own battlefield experience, TNVC designed the Mohawk Mk1 to be a highly functional, modular accessory for all modern warriors. It provides useful storage and retention of mission-essential gear and will attach to any currently-fielded ballistic or bump helmet with Velcro.

The Mohawk Mk1 is packed full of useful features for Armed Professionals and Civilian Hunters alike. No other helmet accessory system offers this level of versatility. Designed by TNVC staff, they tapped their good friends at Explosive Ops Gear (EOG) to produce it for them right here in the U.S.A.

Features:

Signal Strobe Attachment & Retention A vertically-oriented Mohawk strip is the centerpiece of the design. It features a Velcro pile surface that accepts attachment of all currently issued / fielded signal strobe devices. The continuous pile strip allows for precise placement of the device on the rear or top of the helmet. It also provides enough room for attaching a blast sensor device. An adjustable shock cord net provides secondary retention for the devices while not limiting access to their controls. This is important when performing high stress activities such as airborne operations and high angle work. Don’t wear a strobe light? No problem. The shock cord net provides excellent storage for a tourniquet – Easily accessible and always handy.

Versatile Storage Compartment (Mk1) An ambidextrous access, low profile storage compartment helps solve the classic counterweight argument. Some argue that any added weight should be comprised of useful mission essential gear. Others argue that once operators begin using said mission essential gear, they end up losing the counterweight and defeating the purpose. Counterweights have historically been designed for one side or the other. But, why can’t the operator have both? Now they can. The main storage compartment features two elastic pockets that hold removable, flexible lead weight strips (4 strips are included) for 1 pound of counterweight. The rest of the compartment is occupied by a removable battery organizer tray that holds up to 6 cells. Operators can choose to run just the weights, just the batteries, or both. But that’s not all! when the weights and battery tray are removed, the Mohawk storage compartment will perfectly fit the low profile “summer” battery box for the GPNVG-18.

Battery Box Storage Compartment (Mk2) This is the main difference between the Mohawk Mk1 and Mk2. The Mk2 features a purpose-built pouch for holding remote battery boxes for NVG’s. The pouch is perfectly sized to hold the standard issue ANVIS Box, Adams Industries Ground Warrior Battery Pack, or the AN/PVS-31 BNVD “winter” Battery Box (also used for the GPNVG-18 and AN/PSQ-36). Dual top straps secure over the battery box lids, providing added security and protection, while leaving the center open for easy access to the power switch. What if you don’t use a remote battery pack? Well, the compartment can be used to hold all sorts of things such as an extra MBITR Battery or a can of dip.

Ready Access Batteries Two elastic loops sit atop the main compartment, providing immediate access battery storage. These loops allow operators to grab two batteries without ripping Velcro. They also provide secondary functionality by holding a chemlight for nighttime airborne operations or field ID while hunting.

Headset Cable Management The Mohawk Mk1 has two bottom-located Velcro strips for bundling and storing communication headset cable. This extremely useful feature solves one of the most annoying issues facing operators. The headset cable that plugs into your body-mounted PTT is often left dangling to snag on everything during training or storage of the helmet. Or if you have dual comms (one for team radio and one to plug into the vehicle radio), one of the cables will be left to dangle when you dismount the vehicle. The Mohawk Mk1 cable storage straps will stow those pesky cables, protecting them and giving you freedom of head movement.

Secondary Retention The Mohawk Mk1 features two loops for routing 550 or shock cord on either side. This is for secondary retention of the entire system during high intensity activities. Velcro does not provide 100% retention on a helmet. The Mohawk Mk1 provides the opportunity for the operator to run cord from the system to the rear helmet bolts or rail. Doing so will keep your Mohawk Mk1 securely in place regardless of battlefield conditions.

The TNVC Mohawk Mk1 is the most feature-rich helmet accessory system available. But, if you run an NVG with a traditional remote battery box, we got you covered. Check out the Mohawk Mk2.

Offered in a variety of colors and patterns. Visit www.TNVC.com for availability.

Gentex Corporation Partners with The Red Devils to Promote Parachutist Safety

Thursday, November 17th, 2016

The company’s Ops-Core FAST Carbon Helmets to be worn by the Devils during water jumps and team training

Carbondale, PA, November 16, 2016. Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel has partnered with The Red Devils, the official parachute display team of both The Parachute Regiment (The Paras) and the British Army to promote soldier safety. As part of the agreement, Gentex Corporation will provide its Ops-Core FAST Carbon High Cut Helmet to each of the 12 members of The Red Devils to use during their promotional water jumps and for team training.

“Gentex is proud to have the opportunity to support The Red Devils in their mission to promote The Paras and the British Army, both long time customers of Gentex Corporation,” said Tom Short, vice president ground systems, Gentex Corporation. “Through this partnership we’ll also have the opportunity to help promote our common goal of advancing parachuting and skydiving safety.”

Corporal Nathan Connolly, Red Devils Team Leader, commented, “As a team we always seek to push the boundaries of display parachuting to ensure that we continuously showcase original and exciting displays. Our new partnership with Gentex Corporation equips our team with the advanced Ops-Core helmet, allowing us to train and practice new canopy formations with a helmet that provides outstanding protection. In addition to its safety features, the Ops-Core helmet also enables us to maintain perfect all round observation and clear voice communication; key components when practicing Canopy Relative Work.”

The streamlined design and durable, lightweight carbon construction of the Ops-Core FAST Carbon High Cut Helmet provide parachutists an unobstructed field of view, comfort, and industry leading blunt trauma protection. Other key performance and safety features of the FAST Carbon Helmet include Accessory Rail Connectors (ARCs) that allow the helmet to be easily, and fully customized with situational awareness and other performance enhancing accessories, plus a 4-Point Chinstrap that provides comfort and stability, and allows for the convenient donning and doffing of communication headsets with internal headbands.

With its unique system design and rail technology for mounting helmet accessories, Ops-Core is today’s leading brand of modular, scalable, open-architecture helmet systems for elite defense and security forces. Ops-Core helmet platforms and components are designed to seamlessly work together to provide true system level performance for the modern soldier.

3M Subsidiary Wins Contracts for Two US Army Soldier Protection Programs

Friday, November 4th, 2016

This is major news. The Integrated Head Protection System component of PEO Soldier’s next generation Personal Protective Equipment program called Soldier Protection System, has been in source selection quite awhile. Gentex and Revision also competed for this program. Congratulations to 3M Ceradyne!

Company will deliver next-generation lightweight helmets and body armor inserts for the Soldier Protection System

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Nov. 1, 2016 – The U.S. Army has selected Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, as the awardee for two low-rate initial production (LRIP) contracts for next-generation helmet systems and hard body armor inserts as part of the Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) and Vital Torso Protection (VTP) – Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI) components of the Soldier Protection System (SPS).

The Army designed the IHPS to give soldiers a lighter-weight ballistic helmet system that also provides passive hearing protection and increased blunt-impact performance. This helmet system includes numerous accessories, including a mandible, visor, night vision goggle attachment device, rails and modular ballistic applique. The contract awarded to Ceradyne is valued at over $7 million for the delivery of more than 5,300 IHPS helmet systems. Production is expected to start in 2017.

The VTP will equip soldiers with lighter-weight body armor inserts. The $36 million contract is for the production of more than 30,000 ESAPI, with production also expected to start in 2017. This VTP award is an addition to a previous $34 million award, for a total of $70 million on the VTP LRIP contract.

“We are honored to be the awardee of these prestigious contracts,” said Cheryl Ingstad, business manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense, 3M. “The SPS program represents the highest level of lightweight technology to date. Our focus from the onset has been to meet the Army’s stringent specifications for the SPS, and that will continue as we move into initial production. As a leading science company, 3M has deep expertise in advanced lightweight materials, which, combined with our proven production history, differentiates our defense offerings.”

The SPS will replace the Army’s current personal protective equipment (PPE) system. It is designed to defeat current threats while providing an overall weight reduction for soldiers compared to existing PPE. Both the IHPS and VTP began as research and development programs with multiple contenders.

Ceradyne has delivered more than 120,000 enhanced combat helmets (ECH) to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps since 2014. The ECH offers the highest protection level of any helmet in the U.S. Armed Forces inventory, even protecting against certain small arms threats. Ceradyne has also delivered more than 2 million hard body armor inserts to the U.S. Armed Forces to date.

For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M, visit www.3M.com/Defense.

Oakley – Snow Helmets

Wednesday, October 19th, 2016

The Oakley Snow Helmets which were unveiled early this year, are now available through OakleySI.com.

Under development for three years, the Mod 3 and Mod 5 helmets incorporate a modular brim system so the wearer can choose the correct interface to get a tight seal between helmet and goggle. Additionally, the chinstrap is magnetic, the liner is removable and it’s got a BOA fit system.

USSOCOM To Host Family of Tactical Headborne Systems Industry Day

Friday, October 14th, 2016

It’s full steam ahead for USSOCOM regarding development of a new helmet(s). On the heels of the final delivery of items developed under the Advancement Of Headborne Systems Technologies BAA effort, they will hold an industry Day for their planned Family of Tactical Headborne Systems.

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will conduct a briefing to Industry in support of the FTHS program. This Industry Day will occur on Tuesday, 15 November 2016, from 0800 to approximately 1700 at the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC), 15 General Greene Avenue, Natick, MA 01760.

Revision Military delivered their BAA prototypes first and unveiled the system during AUSA. Gentex previewed their system to us during Modern Day Marine. Both have some great features. 3M Ceradyne is said to also have participated in the project but no one in the booth at AUSA knew anything about their effort.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 339999, with a Small Business size standard of 500 employees. Businesses with the following NAICS codes may also participate in the Industry Day: 339999, 314999, 326199, 315280, 39920, and 541712.

Interested parties must register. Visit www.fbo.gov for details.

United Shield International – SPEC OPS DELTA GEN II Helmet

Tuesday, October 11th, 2016

spec-ops-delta-helmet-gen-ii-side

United Shield International has just introduced the SPEC OPS DELTA GEN II helmet. The GEN II helmet shares the standard features of its predecessor, while featuring multiple improvements, including:

– New carbon fiber Integrated Components universal NVG mount, with a guaranteed ‘no rattle fit’

– Ultra Comfort Pad System, featuring pads with Phase Change performance technology that maintain comfort for the wearer in various environmental temperatures. The pads are also structured with a removable crown to accommodate comms, and are built to MilSpec standard by 4D Tactical, exclusively for United Shield International.

– Improved USI BOA Rapid Adjustment Dial, allowing for rapid tightening and loosening, with an added feature of tight and loose micro adjustment. The BOA also features a removable chin cup for ease of replacement and launder, or exchange for a gas mask strap.

us.unitedshield.com/index.php/portfolio-item/specopsdeltagenii

AUSA – Revision Military / Milliken

Wednesday, October 5th, 2016

Revision Military has developed an interesting thermal signature management shroud using the Milliken Conceal fabric.

It uses a magnetic interface to keep it in place around eyepro. They’ve also created internal standoff around the nose and mouth to suppress hot spots created from exhalation.

AUSA – Family of Tactical Headborne Systems from Revision Military

Tuesday, October 4th, 2016

At AUSA, Revision Military unveiled their new Family of Tactical Headborne Systems which they submitted in response to USSOCOM’s requirement for a Next-Generation Helmet Program. Seen below on a mannequin set up as a 21st Century SWCC Operator, the helmet is impressive.

The core of the system is a bump helmet which can be upgraded with an appliqué offering ACH-level 9mm ballistic performance. Below, you can see the system as it will most commonly be used.

Revision’s ballistic shell has approximately .5 lbs reduction in weight from the current helmet. The helmet is also upgradable to 7.62 rifle protection with a two piece appliqué. These photos depict how the appliqué attaches to the bump helmet.

In addition to the ballistic upgrades, Revision has instituted a five size approach versus the existing four currently available sizes. This results in a better fitting helmet.

Above, you can see the rear of the helmet.

In addition to the actual helmet, Revision has introduced several accessories which include:

Comfort ready liner with removable dial fit band

The removable dial fit band has been asked for by numerous users. The liner can be worn with integral over the head communications by removing the center set of pads as seen above, or the helmet’s rail can be fitted with rail adaptor Peltors.

Daytime visor (smoke/clear)

The visor mounts to the Night Vision Shroud.

Laser Enabled NVG Splash Shield

The Splash Shields attach to the NVGs and protect the eyes from debris and sea spray in a maritime environment.  Revision also offers laser protective versions of the Splash Shield.

Bump and ballistic swing away mandible guard

The madible’s buckle is located at the rail.  When disconnected, it swings out of the way.

Skeletonized rails for weight reduction

Notice the bungee for cable management.

www.revisionmilitary.com