Last week I was invited to a small vendor show in the National Capital Region for Law Enforcement sponsored by US Tactical Supply.
In addition to offering a wide range of specialized equipment for Snipers, USTS can also provide custom Call Sign placards and IR reflective patches as well as marker lights as seen on this helmet.
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).
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.
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.
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.
TNVC had an exclusive Ops-Core Carbon FAST Helmet in their booth.
This helmet was painted at the factory in a MAS Grey shade. Coming soon to TNVC.
tnvc.com/shop/ops-core-fast-bump-shell
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is pretty sexy. TW is working on a fabric appliqué that will provide camouflage and scratch protection for the EXFIL helmets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
