SureFire

Archive for the ‘Helmets’ Category

Savox Thor – The Future of Headgear

Monday, March 9th, 2015

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Tactical Headgear for Operational Requirements (THOR) has been adopted by the Finnish Defense Forces as the helmet component of their Soldier Modernization Program: Warrior 2020. A multi-year contract was recently let by the Finnish Defense Forces Logistics Command, with initial deliveries being used for acceptance testing. Savox is the prime contractor of the consortium behind THOR, along with industry partners, Millog Oy (night vision) and Fy-Composites Oy (ballistic protection).

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The core of THOR is a boltless design ballistic helmet made from a Dyneema/Aramid blend providing protection against ballistic threats: fragments and bullets to STANAG 2920 1.1g FSP-v50: 450. 750m/s – back face deformation <25mm; NIJ0106.01 9 mm FMJ bullet 430m/s. The shell also meets EN 397 shock absorption requirements. savox THOR 3

Additionally, special night vision goggles and hearing protection have been designed specifically to integrate with this helmet. As you can see in the photos, the NVGs stow very close to the helmet and are light enough to not need a counterweight. The goggles offer a 60°-wide view angle (also available is 40° FOV) and can be used in mono or bino configurations. These us Millog’s Hi60 3rd Gen tubes offering human recognition up to 150-250m as well as an integrated IR illuminator.

The various technologies developed specifically for the helmet are marketed under FLEXfamily.

For example, the FLEXfit ratchet system allows the rapid adjustment of fit for a wide variety of head types. Next comes FLEXadjust which covers the adjustable, multi-axis mounting systems for the NVGs and earpro. In addition to ANR headphones (23dB), the user can attach a boom or bone conductive skull microphone in addition to throat and internal respirator mic options. Like most systems currently fielded, power and volume adjustments are on the side via buttons. Additionally, the earphones can be placed in one of three positions without removing the helmet or losing communications.

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FLEXnet is an integrated databus both internal and external to the helmet. This works hand-in-hand with the FLEXrail which allows the mounting of Picatinny compatible accessories to the powered rail system incorporating a USB integration interface. THOR features five of these FLEXrails which can bring data into the from cameras and sensors helmet as well as exfil it to other devices such as radios. These FLEXrails also incorporate FLEXpower which provides power to the devices as well as all accessories internally through the helmet.

Savox Thor

Click to view .pdf

www.savox.com/thor

Check Out Ops-Core at ADS Warrior Expo – Emerald Coast

Friday, March 6th, 2015

SHOT Show – Ops-Core / TNVC

Wednesday, January 28th, 2015

TNVC had an exclusive Ops-Core Carbon FAST Helmet in their booth.

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This helmet was painted at the factory in a MAS Grey shade. Coming soon to TNVC.

tnvc.com/shop/ops-core-fast-bump-shell

New Norotos Helmet Mounts

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015

While Norotos is constantly working on new products, I got to check out two new items that I think you’re really going to like.

First up is the Low-Sto which is the lightest, most compact mount on market. While it wasn’t appreciably lighter than its predecessor, its small stature means that your NODs will sit closer to your head when in the up, or stowed position. In addition to its compact size, It also features their new adjustable breakaway which can be set via the screw head seen in the upper left of the mount in the photo. Set at 10 lbs from the factory, it is adjustable from 5-30 lbs of force.

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Even cooler is this next item, one of those, “Why didn’t I think of that?” products. The Universal Shroud Light is available in Black, Tan or Coyote. Just like the name implies, it integrates six angled LEDs into the housing which work in two banks (two and four LEDs). On the model I looked at the bottom two were Blue and the upper four were White light but they can configure them how ever you need. The beauty here is that the light source goes wear you are looking so you don’t have to constantly adjust a beam or crane your neck like on a side mounted light.

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Looking at the shroud, the top right recessed button activates the light function such as bottom two or top four. The left button controls intensity from 4% up to 100%. It is powered by a single AA battery which stows in the integrated compartment below the shroud. The shroud incorporates a smart battery sensor which blinks twice once the battery reaches 50% of used capacity and steps the intensity of the beam down. It does this until the battery is exhausted. With a AA battery on low setting it will run over 40 hours.

www.norotos.com

SHOT Show – Team Wendy

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

I’ve been following the development of TW’s EXFIL SAR helmets since last Summer and I’ve got to say that I’m impressed with the end product. Available in Tactical and Backcountry models, they meet a variety of standards including European climbing GD and mountaineering as well as white water and US Army ACH blunt impact. They also meet European Industry impact standard. This is Ron Szalkowski, director of product development at TeM Wendy with the range of new EXFIL SAR helmets.

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This is pretty sexy. TW is working on a fabric appliqué that will provide camouflage and scratch protection for the EXFIL helmets.

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www.teamwendy.com

SHOT Show – Ops-Core

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

This is the new Lux Liner for the FAST Base Jump and Carbon. It’s a drop in replacement for the legacy liner and replicates what has already been transitioned into the Maritime andBallistic FAST helmets.

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Meets ACH spec for impact, offering greater comfort and stability. Additionally, the removable pads don’t get hard in the cold!

The biggest question I get about Ops-Core is when the RAC headset is coming. How’s this for you? 2nd Quarter, 2015. It works and ready to go.

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First off, it’s now just called RAC and no longer RACS. It’s still your best bet for true 3D hearing relying on binaural audio. Additionally, you can change the noise-canceling boom mic from side to side. Finally, the gimbal attachments allow for custom ear seal on almost every head shape. Below, you can show it in stored mode.

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Finally, Ops-Core showed me a new low profile mount by TangoDown for the SureFire helmet light. It holds the light much closer to the rail than other versions.

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www.ops-core.com

ArmorSource Introduces Lightest Helmet

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

“LJD Aire” Provides 40% Weight Reduction and Enhanced Ballistic Protection

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JANUARY 21, 2015, LAS VEGAS, NV – ArmorSource, LLC (ArmorSource) will introduce the LJD Aire helmet today at the SHOT Show. The LJD Aire is the lightest ballistic helmet in the defense and law enforcement market. The LJD Aire reduces the weight of traditional helmets by more than 40 percent while exceeding the ballistic protection of the Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet.

In a full coverage version, size large, the boltless helmet will weigh a mere 1.9 pounds (850 grams), compared to an equivalently sized Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), which weighs 3.3 pounds (or 1,500 grams). The LJD Aire possess the ACH/MICH geometry, and will be available in mid and high cut versions, offering standard or boltless side-rails, standard or boltless retention, and customers’ choice of aftermarket products, including shrouds and brackets.

“We are extraordinarily pleased and proud to unveil the LJD Aire here at the SHOT Show,” said Yoav Kapah, President and CEO, ArmorSource. “Never before has a manufacturer been able to provide such a substantial reduction in weight without sacrificing ballistic protection. It is a testament to the continued commitment from our team at ArmorSource to provide the best ballistic protection in the lightest, most comfortable helmets. Members of our Armed Forces and law enforcement deserve the very best. The LJD Aire is truly an exceptional product, and our entire team is excited to share this with our men and women in uniform.”

The LJD Aire is the first product launched in ArmorSource’s new LAWRENCE premium product line. The product line was named in honor of Lawrence J. Dickson, one of ArmorSource’s founders, to honor the commitment Mr. Dickson had to consistently provide innovative products and market leadership.

The LJD Aire will be commercially available in the third quarter of 2015, after giving the US Government first priority and production consideration.

www.armorsource.com

Team Wendy EXFIL SAR Helmets Are Go!

Thursday, January 15th, 2015

CLEVELAND – When you’ve rolled out three successful helmets for the military in two years, what’s next? The answer for Team Wendy is to take its popular EXFIL helmet line into a space none of its competitors have gone before.

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With more than 15 years of experience developing leading-edge products that protect against serious and potentially life-threatening injuries, the Cleveland-based company is launching two EXFIL models for search and rescue personnel and outdoor adventurers—the EXFIL SAR Tactical and EXFIL SAR Backcountry. The two new models are the first search and rescue helmets built to offer tactical accessory mounting capabilities while providing protection that meets key industrial and mountaineering requirements.

“This helmet represents the first true marriage between tactical and professional search and rescue,” said Team Wendy CEO Jose Rizo Patron. “The innovations we’ve developed to support our soldiers will provide the search and rescue and mountaineering communities with a superior level of protection and performance. The EXFIL SAR helmets will have the look and feel—as well as the safety and quality—that Team Wendy has built its reputation on. These are Team Wendy EXFIL helmets through and through.”

The Tactical model is optimized for use with night vision devices and features a machined aluminum Wilcox NVG shroud insert as well as a four-point adjustable CAM-FIT retention system with full chin cup. For users who do not operate with night vision, the Backcountry sports a glass-reinforced polycarbonate shroud insert for mounting cameras and lights, and an under-the-chin retention strap with magnetic closure. Both models are ideal mounting platforms and are compatible with rail mounted accessories, such as the EXFIL Quick Release Adapter and EXFIL Peltor Quick Release Adapter. Additional accessories will be released later this year.

The protection offered by the EXFIL SAR Tactical and EXFIL SAR Backcountry is highlighted by meeting a wide variety of performance standards, including EN12492 European Standard for Mountaineering Helmets, EN1385 European Standard for Whitewater Helmets, and current Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) blunt impact requirements. The helmet also provides a high level of off-crown shock absorption not seen in many industrial and climbing helmets, meeting this requirement of EN14052 European Standard for High Performance Industrial Helmets.

Both the EXFIL SAR Tactical and Backcountry models are available in the following standard colors: white, red, black and US Coast Guard orange.

The EXFIL SAR Tactical retails for $304.95, while the EXFIL SAR Backcountry is available for $179.99 (without side rails) or $215.94 (with side rails). EXFIL SAR orders are now being accepted, and Team Wendy will begin shipping helmets in February.

EXFIL SAR Backcountry

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The EXFIL SAR Backcountry features a glass-reinforced polycarbonate shroud for mounting cameras and lights. It also includes a sport-style, under-the-chin retention strap with a Fidloc magnetic buckle and a Boa Closure System to dial in precise fit adjustment while providing a single-handed quick release. The Team Wendy SAR Accessory Rail 2.0 System is optional.

Performance
-Meets the requirements of EN12492:2012 Standard for Mountaineering Helmets
-Meets the requirements of EN1385:2012 Standard for Whitewater Helmets
-Meets Advanced Combat Helmet blunt impact requirements (per AR/PD 10-02 Rev A)
-Meets additional off-crown impact requirements of EN14052 European standard for high performance industrial helmets

Features
-High strength Lexan polycarbonate copolymer shell
-High-cut shell design with clearance for ear protection and communications headsets
-Built-in glass reinforced shroud for mounting head lamps and cameras
-Sport-style retention system with Fidlock magnetic buckle
-Boa Closure System integrated directly into helmet liner for optimized stability and fit
-Zorbium foam comfort liners in two thicknesses with Microban anti-microbial treated wicking fabric
-Optional SAR Accessory Rail 2.0 System that is Magpul MOE compatible and includes a pass-through for securing headlamp or goggle straps
-Two removable vent covers
-Compatible with the EXFIL Quick Release Adapter and the EXFIL Peltor Headset Quick Release Adapter; additional accessory items will be released later in 2015

EXFIL SAR Tactical

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The EXFIL SAR Tactical is optimized for use with night vision devices and features a machined aluminum Wilcox NVG shroud. The helmet also includes a four-point CAM-FIT retention system with chin cup for optimal stability and a Boa Closure System to dial in precise fit adjustment while providing a single-handed quick release. The Tactical model also includes the SAR Accessory Rail 2.0 System, which allows for custom mounting.

Performance
-Meets the requirements of EN12492:2012 Standard for Mountaineering Helmets
-Meets the requirements of EN1385:2012 Standard for Whitewater Helmets
-Meets Advanced Combat Helmet blunt impact requirements (per AR/PD 10-02 Rev A)
-Meets additional off-crown impact requirements of EN14052:2012 European standard for high performance industrial helmets.

Features
-High-strength Lexan polycarbonate copolymer shell
-High-cut shell design with clearance for ear protection and communications headsets
-Includes integrated Wilcox aluminum shroud conforming to the SOCOM SPEAR Program of Record
-Military-style cam-lock sliders for one-handed adjustment and secure fit Boa Closure System integrated directly into helmet liner for optimized stability and fit
-Zorbium foam comfort liners in two thicknesses with Microban anti-microbial treated wicking fabric
-SAR Accessory Rail 2.0 System
-Magpul MOE compatible
-Pass-through for securing headlamp or goggle straps
-Two removable vent covers
-Compatible with the EXFIL Quick Release Adapter and the EXFIL Peltor -Quick Release Adapter; additional accessory items will be released later in 2015