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Archive for the ‘Helmets’ Category

Imagery Of The Gentex HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmet System

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

Last week, we featured a press release from Gentex regarding the new Gentex HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmet System, however one of our readers pointed out that there was no associated imagery to accompany the release. Gentex got the message and sent along some imagery of the new system. The original press release, now with accompanying imagery, has been reproduced down below:

HGU-56P_w_ARCs_3qtr

Gentex Features New HGU-56/P with Ops-Core Rails and other Advances in Rotary Wing Helmet Systems at SAFE Symposium

Leveraging Gentex Corporation Brands to Deliver Innovative Technology for Unprecedented Safety and Protection for Aircrew

Carbondale, PA, October 29, 2015. Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces will demonstrate their industry leading lines of Gentex, ALPHA, and Ops-Core helmet systems for air applications at the SAFE Symposium, November 2 – 4, Orlando, Florida. Featured among them will be their latest innovations, the Gentex HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmet System with Ops-Core Accessory Rail Connectors (ARC), and the ALPHA 900 Search and Rescue (SAR) Helmet System, part of the ALPHA 900 Cross-Platform Helmet System line.

Gentex has integrated the Ops-Core ARCs into the designs for the standard and improved HGU-56/P Helmet Systems. This pairing allows aircrew users to easily add mission-enhancing components such as cameras and illuminators, without compromising the helmet system’s industry leading protection.

HGU-56P_w_ARCs_side

Combining the open architecture of the Ops-Core ARCs with the Gentex HGU-56/P Helmet System creates a platform for access to a broadest of capability upgrades to support both current and future operations. The ALPHA 900 SAR Helmet System is water resistant and optimized for air-to-sea search and rescue operations, and is compatible with all major aircraft ICS systems and portable radios.

“The Gentex HGU-56/P with Ops-Core ARCs and the ALPHA 900 SAR Helmet System exemplify Gentex Corporation’s continued effort to expand our product line, allowing us to offer a full range of innovative solutions to the customer” said Robert McCay, vice president, Aircrew Systems, Gentex Corporation. “Gentex is dedicated to providing the most comprehensive portfolio of aircrew headborne systems and services to meet the needs of global aircrew personnel.”

Adding to the depth of Gentex Corporation’s comprehensive product line featured at SAFE, is their newly acquired line of hearing and communications products, which will be on display in booth #302. The recent acquisition of Aegisound, an established provider of products that significantly improve hearing protection, safety and communications in high noise environments, expands Gentex’s hearing and communications product offering to global defense and industrial personnel, as well as the F-35 program portfolio. In addition to hearing and communication products, Gentex will supply eye protection, the helmet system platform, and respiratory protection system to the elite aircrew entrusted to command the F-35 Lightning II.

HGU-56P_w_ARCs_back_3qtr

Subject matter experts from the Gentex team have also been invited to give a presentation on the evolution of the aircrew industry’s needs over the last six decades, and how these needs drive the development of aircrew helmet systems and capability upgrades. The presentation which is titled, Past,

Present and Future of Aircrew Helmets, will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM in Bonaire 1-2-3. Visit the Gentex Corporation booth #307 to see the tactical optics line; dazzle laser defense eyewear, a line of laser protective flight-helmet mounted visors and spectacles that help pilots combat emerging laser threats, as well as our line of respiratory and CBRN protection products. Two Helmet System briefings focusing on the design capabilities of helmets, oxygen masks, visors, microphones and laser eye protection will also be held during the symposium.

www.gentexcorp.com

Gentex Features New HGU-56/P With Ops-Core Rails And Other Advances In Rotary Wing Helmet Systems At SAFE Symposium

Thursday, October 29th, 2015

Gentex Features New HGU-56/P with Ops-Core Rails and other Advances in Rotary Wing Helmet Systems at SAFE Symposium

Leveraging Gentex Corporation Brands to Deliver Innovative Technology for Unprecedented Safety and Protection for Aircrew

Carbondale, PA, October 29, 2015. Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces will demonstrate their industry leading lines of Gentex, ALPHA, and Ops-Core helmet systems for air applications at the SAFE Symposium, November 2 – 4, Orlando, Florida. Featured among them will be their latest innovations, the Gentex HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmet System with Ops-Core Accessory Rail Connectors (ARC), and the ALPHA 900 Search and Rescue (SAR) Helmet System, part of the ALPHA 900 Cross-Platform Helmet System line.

Gentex has integrated the Ops-Core ARCs into the designs for the standard and improved HGU-56/P Helmet Systems. This pairing allows aircrew users to easily add mission-enhancing components such as cameras and illuminators, without compromising the helmet system’s industry leading protection.

Combining the open architecture of the Ops-Core ARCs with the Gentex HGU-56/P Helmet System creates a platform for access to a broadest of capability upgrades to support both current and future operations. The ALPHA 900 SAR Helmet System is water resistant and optimized for air-to-sea search and rescue operations, and is compatible with all major aircraft ICS systems and portable radios.

“The Gentex HGU-56/P with Ops-Core ARCs and the ALPHA 900 SAR Helmet System exemplify Gentex Corporation’s continued effort to expand our product line, allowing us to offer a full range of innovative solutions to the customer” said Robert McCay, vice president, Aircrew Systems, Gentex Corporation. “Gentex is dedicated to providing the most comprehensive portfolio of aircrew headborne systems and services to meet the needs of global aircrew personnel.”

Adding to the depth of Gentex Corporation’s comprehensive product line featured at SAFE, is their newly acquired line of hearing and communications products, which will be on display in booth #302. The recent acquisition of Aegisound, an established provider of products that significantly improve hearing protection, safety and communications in high noise environments, expands Gentex’s hearing and communications product offering to global defense and industrial personnel, as well as the F-35 program portfolio. In addition to hearing and communication products, Gentex will supply eye protection, the helmet system platform, and respiratory protection system to the elite aircrew entrusted to command the F-35 Lightning II.

Subject matter experts from the Gentex team have also been invited to give a presentation on the evolution of the aircrew industry’s needs over the last six decades, and how these needs drive the development of aircrew helmet systems and capability upgrades. The presentation which is titled, Past,

Present and Future of Aircrew Helmets, will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM in Bonaire 1-2-3. Visit the Gentex Corporation booth #307 to see the tactical optics line; dazzle laser defense eyewear, a line of laser protective flight-helmet mounted visors and spectacles that help pilots combat emerging laser threats, as well as our line of respiratory and CBRN protection products. Two Helmet System briefings focusing on the design capabilities of helmets, oxygen masks, visors, microphones and laser eye protection will also be held during the symposium.

www.gentexcorp.com

MTek Launches FLUX Carbon-V Helmet for Pre-Order

Friday, October 16th, 2015

We mentioned the FLUX Carbon-V helmet from MTek in May during a trip to Rampart Range Day in Canada. They’ve just updated their website (and company name) for pre-order of the FLUX.

  

Offered in Bump and Ballistic models, the helmet’s name is an acronym; Future Lightweight Undercut eXpandable and is derived from the Latin fluxus meaning “flow”. As you’ll recall from our earlier story, this boltless design features an amazing level of undercut which conforms closer to the base of the skull. Boltless means that there are no bolt holes into the shell of the helmet but rather the rail and Wilcox shroud retainers are adhered directly to the shell. The liner system is similarly attached. Interestingly, the accessory rails are M-LOK compatible.

 

The suspension system is made up of three components. In addition to an impact liner, there are two sets of foam multi-thickness comfort pads. Finally, the Cam-Lock retention mounts via Inverseclip.

  

We’ve mentioned several other brands in the helmet’s description. MTek didn’t build this whole thing in a vacuum. They worked with several partners to make the FLUX Carbon-V helmet happen including Magpul, Helmet Comp and Wilcox.

mtekusa.com

AUSA – Team Wendy Unveils X2 Scalable Helmet Prototype

Monday, October 12th, 2015

I have to say that I was astounded at what I found in the Team Wendy booth.  When you first see their X2 Scalable Helmet Prototype it looks pretty much like their Exfil Ballistic but without rails.  Turns out, they’ve integrated a whole bunch of new tech into the design.

  

Once they removed the shell, you could start to see some serious differences. While this version was a 3D printed prototype, they are capable of making different shells for different threat levels. Beneath the shell is a carbon fiber bump helmet, that can be used alone.  If you’re following the logic, you can buy one helmet for both ballistic and bump applications.  What’s more, new shells can be crafted as threats arise and material technology improves.  Instead of purchasing new helmets, you could be purchasing new components. 

   

You can see the honeycomb lining with forward canted vents to help keep the air cool.

 

This honeycomb construction not only aids in structural strength and ventilation but also serves as a crumple zone during impacts in order to absorb impact. They are constructed of a flexible polymer using additive manufacturing technology and features a gradient in durometer. They are soft against the head and stiffer the further out they go. 

   

Below, you can see the bolt less retention system.  

  

Below is a closeup of the fixed front shroud.  

  

Finally, you can see their new accessory attachment system called Gear Utilization Tactical Rail (GUTR) along both sides and the rear of the helmets. It is also used to secure the ballistic shell.

 

While the TW-X2 is still a tech development effort, it certainly changes the realm of the possible in helmets.

www.teamwendy.com

Be Sure To Visit Gentex/Ops-Core At AUSA

Thursday, October 8th, 2015

  

DSEI – Morgan Advanced Materials / Gecko Headgear

Monday, September 21st, 2015

   

Morgan Advanced Materials is offering a ballistic variant (NIJ 0101.04 IIIA) of Gecko Headgear maritime helmet design. It comes in a single size with an inflatable liner which not only helps secure the helmet but also offers bouyancy. The helmet also holds certification as a mountaineering helmet. In addition to a face shield they also offer a ballistic facemask.

 

www.morgandefensesystems.com

Gentex At Modern Day Marine

Friday, September 18th, 2015

Gentex Ops-Core MDM

www.gentexcorp.com

DSEI – Revision Cobra+ Helmet

Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

Revision’s Cobra+ Helmet is their component of the UK’s Virtus armor and load carriage system which is entering service later this month. Upon leaving Afghanistan, the UK found itself with armor systems configured for maximum threats. The idea behind Virtus was to provide a modular, scalable system to meet a wider variety of threats.

  

Since weight on the Soldier is so important; and blast, impact and frag threats are most likely, the Cobra+ is designed for frag and weighs in at just 1050 grams (medium). Comsequently, there’s no pistol or rifle caliber protection. This Polyethylene helmet is based on Revision’s Batlskin technology with their 4-point chinstrap, dial ratchet adjustment mechanism, impact liner, minirails and front mount which accepts not only NVGs but also serves as visor lock and mandible attachment point.

The system also includes the Modular Protective Attachment System with mandible and visor blast shield which both provide frag protection. They offer about 40% of the level of the base helmet.

  

As I said, the Cobra+ Helmet is a component of Virtus. Below you’ll see some photos of the full system.

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The Virtus Scalable Tactical Best vest comes from Source Vagabond Systems Ltd and integrates the Dynamic Weight Distribution System which accepts packs.

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