Future Assault Shell Technology helmet

The Ops-Core Future Assault Shell Technology (FAST) Helmet, also known as the FAST helmet, is an armored helmet that is used by the United States Army Special Forces, the Navy SEALs, and U.S. Special Operations Forces as well as the Norwegian Army and Norwegian National Guard.[1][2] It 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 led to the development of other helmets such as the Maritime helmet and the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH).[1][3] The name FAST helmet was coined by a manufacturing company called Ops-Core.[4]

Compared to standard combat helmets, the FAST helmet offers a 25 percent weight reduction and is notable for its early use of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers (UHMWPE) in its design.[1][3] It was also designed to allow outside features such as tactical and communications protective system (TCAPS) devices to be attached to the helmet.[5]

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.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "ARL-led program enables new manufacturing processes for ballistic protection". EurekaAlert!. May 16, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Ops-Core Helmets for the whole Norwegian Army". Military Times. September 7, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  3. 1 2 National Research Council (2014). Review of Department of Defense Test Protocols for Combat Helmets. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
  4. ↑ "THE FAST HELMET | FUTURE ASSAULT SHELL TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED". Hard Head Veterans. June 1, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  5. ↑ Scharine, Angelique; Weatherless, Rachel (September 2013). "Evaluation of Variants of 3M Peltor ComTAC Tactical Communication and Protection System (TCAPS) Headsets: Measures of Hearing Protection and Auditory Performance". U.S. Army Research Laboratory – via ResearchGate.
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