Here’s the Newly Designed Helmet U.S. Special Operations Will Wear in Battle
OutdoorHub Reporters 05.06.19
U.S. Special Operations Command will soon be issued a newly designed helmet after awarding a $95 million contract to Gentex.
The helmet is specially designed to provide ballistic protection, while better accommodating the newest hearing pro/head-mounted communication devices.
According to Military Times, the contract calls for a minimum value of $150,000 with a maximum amount of $95M worth of helmets but doesn’t detail the exact quantity in which SOCOM is asking.
The newly designed helmet features a “high cut” design, while the Army’s current issued Advanced Combat Helmet has more of a mid-cut. This is a feature asked for by many special forces troops, as it allows for wider range of communications and hearing protection devices that are often used by special operations.
Pricing online shows MSRP for individual helmets at around $1,400.
Here’s what Gentex says about their TBH II Mission Configurable Helmet System on their website:
“A mission configurable version of our Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) based Tactical Ballistic Helmet (TBH)-II, the TBH-II MC is capable of integrating a broad range of organic and third party system components that enhance survivability and increase situational awareness. The Ops-Core Skeleton Shroud and Accessory Rail Connectors (ARC) provide the foundation for true system level performance, while the Ops-Core retention and suspension systems deliver immediate improvement in overall stability and comfort. The end result is an affordable ACH-based variant of the broadly adopted Ops-Core FAST helmet line used by the Special Forces world-wide.”
Officials believe to see the helmets sometime around 2024.
