The Ops-Core Future Assault Shell Technology Helmet, also known as the FAST helmet, is a combat helmet that is used by special forces units seeking to use an alternative headgear while trading some ballistic protection for comfortable headwear to use.
History
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 Soldier as part of the Army Manufacturing Technology Program, which led to the development of other helmets such as the Maritime helmet and the Enhanced Combat Helmet. The name FAST helmet was coined by a manufacturing company called Ops-Core in 2005. In 2008, Ops-Core showed off their prototype helmet with their Head-Loc™ Helmet Retention System at the 2008 SHOT SHOW convention. The helmet was publicly revealed in 2009 at the annual SHOT Show. It was issued to U.S. special forces operators deployed in Afghanistan.
Development
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 in its design. It was also designed to allow outside features such as tactical and communications protective system devices to be attached to the helmet.
Users
: 20,000 Sentry XP Mid Cut-type helmets ordered in 2016, adopted by the Austrian Armed Forces in 2017.
: In 2016, a contract was signed with Usahawan PSE Sdn Bhd to supply FAST helmets to the Malaysian military under RM45.9 million. The first Malaysian unit issued with the helmet is the 7th Royal Ranger Regiment.
: In 2011, the Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization 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. This replaces the PASGT made by Cato Ringstad.
: Ops Core helmets and copies are used by numerous units in the AFP and PNP but the most notable users are the Philippine NAVSOG.
: Used by the Turkish Army, with a reported incident where a Turkish soldier's life was saved when his Ops-Core Sentry-type helmet was shot at in 2015.
: Used by Ukrainian spetsnaz forces.
: The UAE Presidential Guard is equipped with the FAST Ballistic High Cut helmet, announced in 2013.
