SPECTRA helmet

SPECTRA F2 helmet
Spectra helmet in OD color
Type Combat helmet
Place of origin France
Service history
In service 1992 - Present
Used by See Users
Production history
Designer CGF Gallet (Currently MSA Gallet)
Manufacturer CGF Gallet (Currently MSA Gallet)
Variants See Variants

The SPECTRA helmet or CGF Gallet Combat Helmet is the ballistic helmet in use with the French military, and the armies of several other countries. Built by CGF Gallet (producer of the F1 helmet for firemen), it weighs 1.4 kg (3.1 lb), is available in three sizes, and is made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene Spectra fibers, produced under license from Honeywell. The SPECTRA helmet can stop shell fragments of 1.1 g (0.039 oz) travelling at 680 m/s (2,200 ft/s), an 80% improvement over the Modèle 1978 helmet it replaced.

History

The first models were made for United Nations peacekeeping operations, and were blue in the mass.

The SPECTRA helmet is the result of studies conducted in the 1990s, intended to design the helmet for the French Army of the 2000s.[1] In 1992, the conflict in the former Yugoslavia placed large numbers of French troops in contact with well-trained and well-equipped forces,[1] especially snipers during the Siege of Sarajevo, where heavier protection than the Modèle 1978 helmet proved necessary.[2] The Army requested an emergency study for the new helmet, and tests were made, which selected the Dyneema fiber. Gallet drafted a model based on the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT or Fritz) helmet used by the United States Army,[2] and produced a first series of 5,000 which was immediately made available to the blue helmets in the former Yugoslavia. These first models were mostly blue in color. Later models used the NATO green color. They gradually equipped all French troops, with priority given to units on missions in foreign territories.

At one point, it was tested by the Uruguayan military, but it was not adopted.[3]

Description

The helmet is made of Spectra fibre. It is not bulletproof against rifle or carbine bullets. It is a fragmentation-resistant helmet with a maximum distortion (loss of shape) of 20 mm (0.79 in) from a 9mm full metal jacket bullet (FMJ) of 8 g (124 gr) travelling 390 to 420 m/s (1,300 to 1,400 ft/s) on impact. It has a resistance to fragments that meets NATO Standardised Regulation (STANAG) 2920, V50 mini, which is 640 m/s (2,100 ft/s). Resistance to shock-impact meets protection standard EN397 for industrial helmets.

The helmet can be worn with earmuffs and an individual radio system. Further equipment, like night vision, can be added. The new infantry combat equipment of the French army, the Félin system, is partly based on development of the SPECTRA helmet.

Models

Official designation of CGF Gallet is Série 8320 casque de combat TC "D" and they are made in three size;

  • 008320-VKM
  • 008320-VKL
  • 008320-VKXL

The V is for French vert (Green). M, L, XL are sizes.

The helmet is also available with no visor, to facilitate easier use of night vision equipment, and with added protection for law enforcement.

Size

The official designations M, L and XL are usually called Small, Medium and Large in Denmark.

Head circumference is;

  • M: 55.0–57.5 cm (21.7–22.6 in)
  • L: 57.5–60.5 cm (22.6–23.8 in)
  • XL: 60.5–64.0 cm (23.8–25.2 in)

Variants

M/96

In the early 1990s, the Danish army began looking for a replacement to the old US M1 helmet designated M/46 Steel helmet, which had been the standard helmet in Denmark since World War 2. The M/96 helmet was officially brought into service in 1996 as the M/96.[4]

Helmet covers

The removable helmet cover allows to change the pattern of the camouflage. For instance, the Danish army uses three different covers:

  • Helmet cover "Dk-version". An early version produced probably locally in Denmark. Almost identical to the CGF Gallet 900076 version but with no rubber rim, instead it has a drawstring to keep it tight to the helmet. The loops of the drawstrings on top of the helmet sometimes are quite big. M/84 camouflage pattern. Still in use in some places until roughly 1998 or 1999.
  • M/96 Helmet cover. CGF Gallet 900076-VSxx (x = XL, L, M). This is the standard cover in the Danish army. M/84 camouflage pattern and a big rubber rim to hold it tight to the helmet. Made of the same fabric as the M/84 Combat uniform: 67% cotton & 33% polyester.
  • M/03 Helmet cover. MSA Gallet 501814-JJxx (x = XL, L, M). With M/99 Desert camouflage pattern and a big rubber rim to hold it tight to the helmet. Made of the same fabric as the M/03 Desert uniform: 90% cotton & 10% polyester.

CG634

Users


References

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