Ballistic Helmet
A good ballistic helmet is an essential item of protective gear for today’s tactical team operator. Ballistic helmets perform a dual role; they protect the head from ballistic impact (such as small arms fire) and provide protection from low-velocity impacts (such as vehicle accidents, falling debris, or accidental falls). Traditional riot and crowd-control helmets are not ballistic helmets. They were only designed to provide protection from hand-wielded impact devices or thrown objects. They won’t stop small arms projectiles.
What do we have?
Ops-Core FAST Ballistic Helmet
The Ops-Core FAST (Future Assault Shell Technology) Ballistic Helmet sets the standard by which all other special mission ballistic helmets are measured. It is widely used by US Special Forces and tactical teams. FAST is the most advanced helmet line with revolutionary ergonomic shell geometry, which provides the highest level of ballistic protection at the lightest weight.
The shell is constructed of carbon + UHMWPE which has reduced the weight by 20 percent while still retaining the same ballistic protection as previous models. Anyone who has worn a combat helmet for long periods of time will know the benefits of this weight reduction, especially when you are running NVG’s (night vision goggles) cantilevered off your head.
There are all sorts of attachment rails, velcro patches and NVG mounts that come with the helmet. Elastic bungees come standard to prevent NVG rattle and add extra security, but best of all the comfort of the helmet is second to none.
The Helmets Level IIIA protection is designed to stop up to 9mm FMJ < 427m/s, and up to .44 Magnum HP < 427m/s. It will not stop rifle rounds unless they deflect at an angle, but the design minimises blunt trauma injury to allow more effective return fire.
