Future Assault Shell Technology helmet#Users

The FAST helmet was developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in collaboration with the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center and the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier as part of the Army Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program, which also led to the development of the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH).{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-05/uarl-ape051612.php|title=ARL-led program enables new manufacturing processes for ballistic protection|date=May 16, 2012|work=EurekaAlert!|access-date=August 27, 2018}}{{Cite book|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224907/|title=Review of Department of Defense Test Protocols for Combat Helmets|last=National Research Council|chapter=Evolution of Combat Helmets based |publisher=National Academies Press|year=2014|location=Washington, D.C.}}

The name FAST helmet was coined by a manufacturing company called Ops-Core in 2005.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hardheadveterans.com/blogs/reviews/the-fast-helmet-future-assault-shell-technology-explained|title=THE FAST HELMET {{!}} FUTURE ASSAULT SHELL TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED|date=June 1, 2018|website=Hard Head Veterans|access-date=August 27, 2018}} In 2008, Ops-Core showed off their prototype helmet with their Head-Loc™ Helmet Retention System (a.k.a. Head-Loc Retention System) at the 2008 SHOT Show convention. The helmet was publicly revealed in 2009 at the annual SHOT Show.{{cite web|url=http://soldiersystems.net/2009/03/04/ops-core-releases-new-products/|title=Ops-Core Releases New Products - Soldier Systems Daily|date=4 March 2009 }} It was issued to U.S. special forces operators deployed in Afghanistan.{{cite web|url=http://www.defensereview.com/ops-core-fast-ballistic-helmet-crye-multicam-camo-pattern-with-fast-arc-4-position-accessory-rail-connectors-and-integrated-head-loc-chinstrap-retention-system-being-deployed-to-afghanistan-with-u/|title=Ops-Core FAST Ballistic Helmet (Crye MultiCam Camo Pattern?) Military Combat Helmet with FAST-ARC Accessory Rail Connectors and Head-Loc Chinstrap Retention System Going Operational in Afghanistan with U.S. Army Special Forces: FAST Helmet Demo Video, and Contour HD Tactical Helmet Cam (Camera) Photos!|first=David|last=Crane+|website=DefenseReview.com (DR): An online tactical technology and military defense technology magazine with particular focus on the latest and greatest tactical firearms news (tactical gun news), tactical gear news and tactical shooting news.}}

In 2019, U.S. Special Operations Command awarded Gentex a contract worth $95 million to supply Ops-Core FAST SF Super High Cut Helmets that were released in 2018.{{cite web| url = https://sofrep.com/gear/us-special-operations-command-reveals-new-helmet-for-operators/| title = US Special Operations Command reveals new helmet for operators {{!}} SOFREP| work = SOFREP}}

Compared to standard combat helmets, the FAST helmet offers up to 25% weight reduction and is notable for its early use of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers (UHMWPE) in its design. It was also designed to allow outside features such as wearing communications headsets which can be attached with rail adapters.{{Cite journal|last1=Scharine|first1=Angelique|last2=Weatherless|first2=Rachel|date=September 2013|title=Evaluation of Variants of 3M Peltor ComTAC Tactical Communication and Protection System (TCAPS) Headsets: Measures of Hearing Protection and Auditory Performance|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266136862|journal=U.S. Army Research Laboratory|via=ResearchGate}}

File:District governor visits a local school 130415-M-BO337-031.jpg wearing a FAST Maritime helmet and U.S. Woodland camouflage combat uniform]]

The FAST helmet ranges in weight from about 667–1592 g (1.47–3.51 lbs). The type of UHMWPE material for the ballistic FAST models provides increased protection against NIJ Level IIIA handgun rounds. It can be fitted with a mounting bracket, patented first in 2014,{{Cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/USD766521|title = Helmet mounted rail}} for accessories like night vision goggles and communications headsets,https://www.equipnor.com/media/1550/2015_ops-core_catalog.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} similar to PASGT and MICH.{{cite web|url=http://soldiersystems.net/2012/08/18/canipe-correspondence-helmets-state-art-then-now/|title=Canipe Correspondence - Helmets: State of the Art Then and Now - Soldier Systems Daily|website=soldiersystems.net|date=18 August 2012 |access-date=2017-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010104504/http://soldiersystems.net/2012/08/18/canipe-correspondence-helmets-state-art-then-now/|archive-date=2017-10-10|url-status=live}} Users can wear it with different communications headsets with ease and comfort. The Velcro featured on to the helmet also allows for the wearer to attach national flag or the emblem of unit which they belong to, in addition to other IFF (Identification friend or foe) patches such as call sign and blood type.

It has different color options, such as foliage green, black, olive green, ranger green, tan 499, urban grey, MultiCam and desert MARPAT.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nowar.de/katalog/komplett/002_pers_schutzausr_takt_einsatzbekl/213_helme/opscore_fast_ball/opscore_fast_ball_uk.htm|title=NOWAR security equipment GMBH -}} As well as having mesh and cloth helmet covers in varying camouflage patterns.

The FAST RF1 High Cut Helmet System released in 2021 is a rifle rated ballistic helmet at an average of 3.5 lbs (1592 grams) able to protect against rifle rounds like the 7.62×39mm and 7.62x51mm due to the 0.400" (10.16mm) shell thickness. The different color options are tan 499, ranger green, MultiCam, black, and urban gray.{{Cite web |title=Ops-Core FAST RF1 High Cut Helmet System |url=https://shop.gentexcorp.com/ops-core-fast-rf1-high-cut-helmet-system/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Gentex Corporation |language=en}}

The FAST XR Helmet System released in 2022 represents an intermediate in protection between the SF line of helmets and the RF1 Helmet System, protecting against 7.62×39mm rifle rounds at a distance of 10 feet, but not against larger rounds such as 7.62×51mm. This is due to having a shell thickness of 0.280" (7.112mm). It is far lighter than the RF1, averaging at only about half a pound heavier than the SF helmet, depending on the type of chinstrap. It is available in Tan 499, Ranger Green, MultiCam, Black, and Urban Gray.{{Cite web |title=Ops-Core FAST XR High Cut Helmet System |url=https://shop.gentexcorp.com/ops-core-fast-xr-high-cut-helmet-system/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Gentex Corporation |language=en}}

In addition to military and law enforcement, the non-ballistic version of the helmet also has gained considerable popularity among civilian occupations, such as outdoor sportsmen, journalists, disaster relief personnel and other field workers due to its modular design.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

The FAST family of helmets are ubiquitous across military, police, and other uniformed services around the world.{{Cite web |last=Beekman |first=Christian |date=2015-06-12 |title=Combat Helmets Have Moved Beyond Just Protection |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics/combat-helmets-have-moved-beyond-just-protection/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Task & Purpose |language=en-US}}

• {{DZA}}: Used by the Algerian special forces.{{Cite web |last=Akramov |date=2020-10-29 |title=Algérie: Gladius 2.0 comme système de soldat des forces spéciales |url=https://www.menadefense.net/algerie/algerie-gladius-2-0-comme-systeme-de-soldat-des-forces-speciales/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=MENADEFENSE |language=fr-FR}}
• {{flag|Austria|size=23px}}: 20,000 Sentry XP Mid Cut-type helmets ordered in 2016, adopted by the Austrian Armed Forces in 2017.{{Cite web |url=http://sipol.at/en/2017/03/30/new-gear/ |title=New weapons and personal gear for Austrian soldiers - sipol.at |access-date=2019-08-17 |archive-date=2019-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817142815/http://sipol.at/en/2017/03/30/new-gear/ |url-status=dead }}
• {{ARM}}: Mostly used by special forces. Few used by reconnaissance, scout, and infantry divisions. Seen in 2021 Armed Forces of Armenia exercises.
• {{Flag icon|Brazil}} Brazil: Used by the Brazilian Army and the Brazilian Marine Corps.
• {{flag|Chile|size=23px}}: Used by the Special Forces of the Chilean Army.{{cite web| url = https://www.ejercito.cl/prensa/visor/ejercito-gradua-a-integrantes-del-curso-de-fuerzas-especiales-2020| title =Ejército gradúa a integrantes del curso de Fuerzas Especiales 2020 | date = 29 July 2020}}
• {{Flag|Denmark}}: Used by the Jaeger Corps and other SOKOM units.{{Cite news |first= |date=7 October 2021 |title=Night Hawk afsluttet |work=Forsvaret |url=https://www.forsvaret.dk/da/nyheder/2021/night-hawk-2021-afsluttet/}}
• {{flag|Finland|size=23px}}: Worn by Finnish Naval Special Forces Coastal Jaegers and the Guards Jaeger Regiment's urban jaegers as well as other front-line troops.{{Cite news |last=Oinas-Panuma |first=Olga |date=4 June 2022 |title=Erään yksikön asuvalinta lippujuhlan päivän paraatissa kiinnitti katsojien huomion – "Tämä oli ensimmäinen kerta" |work=Ilta-Sanomat |url=https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000008864813.html |access-date=5 June 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Airo |first=Paavo |date=2023-04-03 |title=Uusia kypäriä Puolustusvoimille – pimeätaistelussa tarvittavien välineiden käyttö helpottuu |url=https://reservilainen.fi/uusia-kyparia-puolustusvoimille-pimeataistelussa-tarvittavien-valineiden-kaytto-helpottuu/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Reserviläinen |language=fi}}
• {{Flag|Georgia}}: Used by police and state security special units. DH MK-III made by STC Delta issued to GSOF and other military units.{{cite web |url=https://delta.gov.ge/Personal-Defence |title=Tactical Ballistic Helmet DH MK-III|website=www.delta.gov.ge|date= 17 November 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.palitranews.ge/video/160828-tavdacvis-saministros-specialuri-operaciebis-zalebs-axali-agchurviloba-gadaeca/ |title=თავდაცვის სამინისტროს სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალებს ახალი აღჭურვილობა გადაეცა |lang=ka |website=www.palitranews.ge |date=12 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://mod.gov.ge/ge/news/read/9470/shamqori-2024-vazianis-poligonze-sachvenebeli-swavlebit-dasrulda |title="შამქორი 2024" ვაზიანის პოლიგონზე საჩვენებელი სწავლებით დასრულდა |lang=ka |website=mod.gov.ge |date=19 June 2024}}
• {{flag|Malaysia|size=23px}}: In 2016, a contract was signed with Usahawan PSE Sdn Bhd to supply FAST helmets to the Malaysian military under RM45.9 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/15861/Contracts_Worth_US__745_Million_Announced_At_DSA_2016#.XFpDts1S9PY|title=Contracts Worth US$ 745 Million Announced At DSA 2016|website=www.defenseworld.net}} The first Malaysian unit issued with the helmet is the 7th Royal Ranger Regiment.{{cite web|url=http://www.malaysiandefence.com/new-ballistic-helmets-army/|title=New Ballistic Helmets for the Army - Malaysian Defence|date=17 February 2017 }}
• {{NZL}}: In 2024 it was announced that as part of the SPPE OPS-CORE Hi cut helmets would be introduced to all soldiers of the New Zealand Army starting with Tranche 1 in July 2024, Tranche 2 will deliver to the remainder of units in Mid 2025. OPS-CORE Fast variants have previously been in use with New Zealand Special Air Service troopers.
• {{flag|Norway|size=23px}}: In 2011, the Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization (NDLO) selected the FAST helmet as the new standard issue protective headgear for the Norwegian Army and National Guard. The decision was made after positive results from rounds of ballistic and safety testing and has been previously fielded by the Norwegian Special Forces in both Afghanistan and Iraq.{{Cite news|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/2011/09/07/ops-core-helmets-for-the-whole-norwegian-army/|title=Ops-Core Helmets for the whole Norwegian Army|date=September 7, 2011|work=Military Times|access-date=August 27, 2018}} This replaces the PASGT made by Cato Ringstad.{{Cite web|url=http://soldiersystems.net/2011/09/08/ops-core-wins-norwegian-helmet-contract/|title = Ops-Core Wins Norwegian Helmet Contract - Soldier Systems Daily| date=8 September 2011 }}
• {{flag|Philippines|size=23px}}: Different variations of Ops Core FAST. helmets and clone copies are used by different units in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police but the most notable users are the Philippine NAVSOCOM as they are the first unit to use them starting late 2015.{{Cite web|date=2019-09-13|title=An Overview of Philippine Elite & Special Forces|url=https://bootcampmilitaryfitnessinstitute.com/elite-special-forces/philippine-elite-special-forces/an-overview-of-philippine-elite-special-forces/|access-date=2021-02-20|website=Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute|language=en-GB}}{{better source needed|date=March 2021}}
• {{flag|Poland}}: FAST Ballistic High Cut helmets used by JW GROM and JW Formoza operators. 50 thousand HP-05 ordered for Polish Army.{{cite web |url=http://www.special-ops.pl/artykul/id319,shot-show-2013?p=5 |title=Shot Show 2013 | Special-Ops.pl - Portal Ludzi Akcji |website=www.special-ops.pl |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927152509/http://www.special-ops.pl/artykul/id319,shot-show-2013?p=5 |archive-date=27 September 2019 |url-status=dead}}
• {{flag|Serbia}}: FAST helmets used by most Gendarmerie units.https://specijalne-jedinice.com/srbija/zandarmerija-english.php
• {{flag|Sweden}}: FAST Maritime Helmets used by Särskilda operationsgruppen.
• {{flag|Turkey}}: Used by special forces of Turkish Armed Forces, with a reported incident where a Turkish soldier's life was saved when his Ops-Core Sentry-type helmet was shot at in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://soldiersystems.net/2015/12/10/ops-core-helmet-saves-turkish-soldiers-life/|title=Ops-Core Helmet Saves Turkish Soldier's Life - Soldier Systems Daily|date=10 December 2015 }}
• {{flag|Ukraine}}: Used by Special Operations Forces.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/11305/ukrainian-spetnazs-weapons-and-gear-may-show-an-american-touch|title = Ukrainian Spetnaz's Weapons and Gear May Show an American Touch|date = 8 June 2017}}
• {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}: The UAE Presidential Guard is equipped with the FAST Ballistic High Cut helmet, announced in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://gentexcorp.com/ops-core-awarded-contract-to-supply-uae-with-the-ops-core-fast-ballistic-high-cut-xp-helmet/|title=Ops-Core Awarded Contract to Supply UAE with the Ops-Core FAST Ballistic High Cut (XP) Helmet|date=12 November 2013|website=Gentex}}
• {{flag|United Kingdom}}: Used by the Pathfinder Platoon, Royal Marines and the United Kingdom Special Forces. High Cut helmets are also in use by CTSFO units of Metropolitan Police Service.
• {{flag|United States}}: Used by special operations forces. FAST XP and FTHS is used by Delta Force. FAST Maritime and FTHS is used by DEVGRU. Navy SEALs have used the LBH with AOR1 shell until it was replaced by FTHS. LBH with AOR2 shell is used by SWCC. AFSOC, Special Forces, 75th Ranger Regiment and Marine Raider Regiment use the FAST Maritime{{cite web|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/combat-helmets-have-moved-beyond-just-protection|title=Combat Helmets Have Moved Beyond Just Protection|date=12 June 2015|website=Task & Purpose|access-date=6 February 2019|archive-date=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015953/https://taskandpurpose.com/combat-helmets-have-moved-beyond-just-protection|url-status=dead}} and the FTHS.
• In use with the LAPD SWAT, where a SWAT officer credited the helmet for saving his life from being shot in the head in 2017.{{cite web | url=https://soldiersystems.net/2017/06/26/ops-core-helmet-saves-lapd-swat-officers-life/ | title=Ops-Core Helmet Saves LAPD SWAT Officer's Life - Soldier Systems Daily | date=26 June 2017 }} Also used by the NYPD ESU.
• Small number of FAST SF helmets purchased by the FBI SWAT teams.{{cite web |title=DJF192200PR0001495 - DJF192200PR0001495 - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities |url=https://www.fbo.gov/index.php?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=530709eb3f91576ec54d9e928ca6226e&tab=core&_cview=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416191647/https://www.fbo.gov/index.php?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=530709eb3f91576ec54d9e928ca6226e&tab=core&_cview=1 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=www.fbo.gov}} Also seen use by FBI Hostage Rescue Team operators.

• {{flagcountry|Islamic Republic of Afghanistan|size=23px}}: Used by the Afghan National Army Commando Corps.{{cite web| url = https://sofrep.com/news/graphic-video-reportedly-shows-taliban-executing-afghan-special-forces/| title = Graphic Video Reportedly Shows Taliban Executing Afghan SF Prisoners| date = 10 July 2021}}

File:A U.S. Marine with a Marine special operations team assists with security during the construction of an Afghan Local Police (ALP) checkpoint in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 30, 2013 130330-M-BO337-085.jpg

File:Finnish Naval Special Forces, Trident Juncture 15 (22641111371).jpg

File:Gen. Ray Odierno observes a live fire exercise.jpg

File:Eager Lion '15 concludes with monumental military demonstration 150518-A-XL223-006.jpg

File:10th CWS releasing weather balloon at Eglin.JPG

File:LAPD SWAT Exercise 3.jpg

File:Special Operations Air Insertion, RIMPAC 2014 140710-N-PX130-101.jpg

File:NAVSOG at the SEACAT 2018 Exercise 002.jpg

File:104rmo training5.png

File:Indian MARCOS and Japanese SBU at RIMPAC 2022.jpg

File:Operatore Vympel anno 2018.jpg

File:GSOFtrojanfootprint24 1.jpg

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Ops-Core Helmet}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20151213055650/http://www.ops-core.com/FAST_HELMET_C6.cfm FUATURED PRODUCTS FAST Helmet]

{{Helmets}}

Category:Military technology

Category:Combat helmets of the United States

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s