Altyn (helmet)
{{Short description|Soviet titanium combat helmet}}
{{Infobox military gear
|type=Combat helmet
|origin=Soviet Union
|wars=First Chechen War
Second Chechen War
|designer=NII Stali
|production_date=1991-2009
|used_by= See Users
|weight=3.5-4 kg
|service=1991-present
|image=Fsb alpha group.jpg|caption=FSB personnel during a training exercise wearing the Altyn-R2M helmet}}
Altyn (Russian: Алтын; named after
History
Altyn was developed on the basis of the PSH-77 helmet created by TIG company from Switzerland. The Soviet Union purchased PSH-77 helmets for use by Alpha Group Spetsnaz, who used them during Operation Storm-333 in the Soviet–Afghan War. These helmets became very popular among KGB servicemen, and as such, a decision was made to produce a homemade version. In 1991, NII Stali produced the titanium shells, aramid liners and titanium visors, while the armored glass was bought from abroad, and all of this was assembled together by KGB. This early variant was called Altyn-R1 (Алтын-Р1).{{Cite web |last=КРАШЕВСКИЙ |first=ВЛАДИМИР |date=31 March 2020 |title=ПРОЕКТ «АЛТЫН» |url=https://www.specnaz.ru/articles/282/7/3564.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027221931/https://www.specnaz.ru/articles/282/7/3564.htm |archive-date=27 October 2022}} Helmet was rated at class 2 protection for the shell and class 1 protection for the visor. However, early helmets faced difficulty when shot at with 7.62x25 PST GZH steel core rounds from a TT pistol from 8 meters.{{Cite web |date=6 December 2020 |title=The Altyn Helmet (Armored Spetsnaz Soldiers) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDiHg6HDSxI |website=Youtube}}{{better source needed|date=February 2024}}
By 1997, the Altyn-R2M (Алтын-Р2М) was developed and had a number of improvements. Apart from alterations to the radio system, a major innovation was the production of domestically made armored glass as well as thicker and better-quality shells, reaching 4 mm of thickness. As such, it could stop PST GZH steel core rounds from TT from 5 meters. Old PSH-77 were also modified with radio sets and new glass.
The helmet was first used in the 1993 Constitutional Crisis and in the two Chechen Wars. They also became widely known after Beslan school siege, during which the majority of Alpha and Vympel operatives wore Altyn helmets.{{Cite web |date=5 May 2018 |title=Алтын - Шлем Русского Спецназа ЦСН ФСБ Альфа Вымпел {{!}} ОБЗОР ШЛЕМА |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mm11pE9GSs&t=613s |website=Youtube}}
In the late 2000s, the Altyn was being replaced by newer helmets from the LSHZ series as well as the Rys-T. Production stopped in 2009 with the last batch produced for Cuban special forces.
NII Stali also produced the K6-3 helmet, which is a copy of Altyn, the main difference being the absence of a radio headset. Since Altyn was produced for the KGB, NII Stali did not have the rights to produce Altyn for sale, and therefore they created a commercial version called K6-3.
Variants
- Altyn-R2M: Improved version of the Altyn, produced in 1997 with better ballistic protection.
- K6-3: A copy of Altyn made without a radio headset. Since Altyn was produced for the then KGB, NII Stali did not have the rights to produce Altyn for sale.{{Cite web |title=Шлем К6-3 / 6Б6-3. Обзор, фото, характеристики. |url=https://war-time.ru/item/obzor-broneshlema-k6-3 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=war-time.ru}}
Users
=Current=
- {{flag|Cuba}}: Reported to be used by Cuban special forces.
- {{flag|Russia}}: Used by the FSB. Both Altyn and K6-3 helmets used by OMON units.{{cite web|url=https://kula-tactical.com/helmets-used-by-russian-army|title=What helmets does the Russian army use?|work=Kula Tactical |date=15 October 2020 }}
=Former=
References
{{reflist}}
{{commons category|Altyn helmet}}
{{Soviet and Russian MVD and security agencies equipment|state=expanded}}
Category:Combat helmets of Russia