FAST Helmet

FAST Helmet
Type	Spec ops helmet
Designation	Unknown
Place of Origin	USA
Produced	2009-Present
Manufacturer(s)	Gentex Ops-Core (owned by Gentex)
Material(s)	Unknown
Evolved from	Unknown
Evolved into	LShZ 1+ ZSh-1U Spartanets Atlas MK2 FAST BZSH-OS Berserk PGD-ARCH Galvion Caiman UHWMPE ATAKA SAW-FAST United
Service
Used by	US Military US FPS SOCOM Italian Armed Forces Ukrainian Military Mexican Spec Ops CJNGC UKSF Bundeswehr Shayetet 13
Wars	Operation Neptune Spear War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) American-led intervention in Iraq American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war 2020 deployment of federal forces in the US Russo-Ukrainian War

The FAST Helmet is a carbon helmet of American origin.

Overview

The FAST helmet series is characteristic for its shell shape – ear cut geometry which extends critical coverage over the rear occipital bone without load carrier interference, and optimizes weight distribution for increased stability, integration, balance, and improved comfort. Along with the cut, the helmet is distinctive by one of its primary design features including the various suspension and retention systems, and the ARC rails similar to picatinny rails enable users to mount different items like helmet lights and cameras.

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, lightweight yet strong enough to resist the stated threat levels.

The helmet is modular and allows outside features such as wearing communications headsets which can be attached with rail adapters and the likes as well as camera, flash lights and ear defense.

The helmet will take all accessories such as camera, night vision, torch, headphones etc protection in a combination as well as own. It also has velcro strips for attaching flags, patches, IR strobes, pouches and other accessories.

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 (PEO) Soldier as part of the Army Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program.

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™ 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. It was issued to U.S. special forces operators deployed in Afghanistan.

The FAST series of helmets, with its signature high cut and modularity, exploded into popularity after the Osama bin Laden raid and became the benchmark for special ops helmets throughout the 2010s. Later, especially during the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War, the FAST became a mainstream general purpose infantry helmet.

The Ops-Core FAST SF Super High Cut Helmet has been used by US federal forces during the 2020 George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon.

Gen 1 FAST helmets are being used by the Ukrainian Army in the Battle of Bakhmut.

There are also Chinese made copies made by various manufacturers such as Compass Armor Gear.

An unknown derivative used by Ukrainian forces.

Atlas MK2 FAST is used by Russian forces in Ukraine.

Israeli copy made by Masada Armour.

Variants

FAST XP

The FAST XP replaces the FAST XP "Legacy" at being the FAST XP and as the standard FAST helmet offering.

LEAF FAST UPG appears to be a Russian derivative.

FAST XR

Similar to the newer generation FAST XP design, but offering protection levels roughly on par with the Enhanced Combat Helmet. Gentex claims the XR is capable of defeating lead core 7.62x39mm projectiles.

FAST SF

The FAST SF was developed for the USSOCOM Family of Tactical Headborne Systems (FTHS) program and serves as the primary basis for the current generation of FAST helmets. It can be considered as a successor to the FAST Maritime as Ops-Core's lightest ballistic-rated helmet system. Improvements over the Maritime are primarily improved ballistic protection, lighter weight helmet shell, as well as various accessories such as the Modular Bungee Shroud and Skeleton ARC rails.

The SOCOM issue helmet, known as the "FTHS Ground Ballistic Helmet", visually differs from the FAST SF in its velcro pattern on the helmet shell. This is true for all commercial helmets derived from the FTHS program.

Defender-1 CH is a Russian copy made by Armor Elements Somov. It is used by Russian forces in the Russo-Ukrainian War.

FAST RF1

The heaviest ballistic-rated system offered by Ops-Core at 3.5 lbs, and touted as offering the greatest threat protection. It is claimed to protect against 7.62x39mm projectiles, likely steel core 7.62, although Gentex does not clarify if this steel core or lead core 7.62x39 (like as stated with the XR).

FAST SF Carbon Composite

Bump helmet, with close form factor to the standard FAST SF but with no ballistic protection, similar to the FAST Carbon. It is the commercial version of the FTHS Coxswain Helmet System, developed for US Navy SWCC (special warfare combatant-craft crewmen). Unlike the FAST Bump, the SF Carbon Composite is designed to be a scalable helmet system with optional ballistic applique in higher threat environments when necessary. Shell is made of a Carbon and fiberglass composite.

FAST Bump

Bump helmet based on the FAST SF form factor. The most notable features compared to the legacy FAST Bump are the super high cut shell and the removable shroud. The shell is made of polymer. It is essentially identical in function to the FAST SF Carbon Composite, aside from not being designed to use the ballistic applique.

Legacy Variants

FAST XP

Original FAST helmet variant featuring a high cut shell of a Carbon, Polyethylene and Aramid composite construction. Gentex now refers to this specific model as the "FAST XP Legacy" upon retiring it and replacing it with a new helmet system that is, confusingly, also called the FAST XP.

The original helmet was introduced and released for sale to the general public at the 2009 SHOT Show. The original helmet from 2009 was referred to as the "FAST Ballistic High Cut". It is also sometimes colloquially called "Gen 1".

During the Russo-Ukrainian War, Wagner PMC wore FAST XP Legacy types of helmets with the older VAS shrouds at the Battle of Bakhmut and later during their Belarusian operations in 2023.Also used by Storm-Z units. These could be genuine Ops Core or more likely some Russian or Chinese copies. Polish troops are wearing VAS shrouded Legacy XP during the 2023 Belarus border crisis. Polish forces paraded with Skeleton shrouded helmets at the 2023 "Armed Forces Day".

FAST LE

Identical to the FAST XP but with a 100 percent Aramid shell. The FAST LE has been in the process of getting discontinued in January 2023 and by the end of the month it was replaced by the FAST XP High Cut Helmet.

FAST Carbon

Bump helmet with no ballistic protection, in a capacity akin to Pro-Tec skateboard helmets and similar systems. High cut shell with 100 percent Carbon fiber construction.

It was introduced and released for sale to the general public alongside the first XP at the 2009 SHOT Show. Ukrainian forces are using the FAST Carbon in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Also used by Russian forces at least from 2021.

FAST Bump

Formerly referred to as the "FAST Base Jump". An economy option offered at a lower price than Ops-Core's carbon-based bump helmets. The shell is of the legacy high cut profile and is made of 100% injection-molded plastic. The FAST Bump notably does not have a removable shroud and instead has the shroud molded into the shell.

The FAST Bump is being discontinued as of Q4 2023 and is being replaced by the newer FAST Bump variant.

FAST MT

Formerly named the "FAST Maritime" helmet. This was the lightest ballistic-rated helmet offered by Ops-Core, featuring a super high cut shell of a Carbon, Polyethylene and Aramid composite construction but at a reduced ballistic protection level compared to the FAST XP (roughly equal to the former NIJ Level IIA specification). The "super high" ear cut is 16mm higher than the standard high cut on the FAST XP. Gentex claims a 42 percent weight reduction compared to the Advanced Combat Helmet, and a 20% weight difference compared to the FAST XP.

It was publicly introduced at the 2012 SHOT Show, although it was already being issued to DEVGRU since at least July 2011. Some sources also identify its use by SEALs earlier during the Osama bin Laden raid. The Maritime's "super high cut" has become the standard high cut form factor as of the current generation of FAST helmets.

The AOR1 FAST Maritime issued to DEVGRU is often seen with the rare Wilcox L4 G19 night vision mount, in addition to bearing SEAL trident imprints on the ARC rails in the sockets for the mask attachment clips.

FAST LBH and SX

The FAST LBH (Lightweight Ballistic Helmet) was issued to US Navy SEALs. It is based on the FAST XP cut but the shell is made of different materials (allegedly the same as the Maritime, but it is also alleged that titanium was used in the shell which somehow provided even greater ballistic protection than the FAST XP).^{[Citation needed]} The velcro loop attachments on the helmet are also uniquely shaped. The LBH shells were known to have been made in Urban Tan, in addition to the AOR1 and AOR2 patterns.

The FAST SX was made from contract overruns of the LBH. The shell is essentially identical to the LBH and the only major differences are the included velcro patches and the Modular Bungee Shroud included with the SX.

Accessories

VAS Shroud

The Visual Augmentation System was originally introduced by Ops-Core in 2008 as a system upgrade for the Advanced Combat Helmet. The VAS shroud came standard with FAST helmets until it was phased out by the Skeleton shroud.

Skeleton Shroud

The Skeleton shroud was introduced in 2012 and replaced the old VAS.

Modular Bungee Shroud

The Modular Bungee Shroud was introduced in 2017 with the FAST SF, and replaces older shrouds on current generation FAST helmets.

Project Leaf shroud is a Russian copy.

ARC Rails

The Accessory Rail Connector (ARC) serves as the primary means of affixing helmet accessories. It was originally introduced in 2008 as an upgrade for the ACH and was integrated into the FAST helmet with its introduction to the market.

ARC rails are offered in multiple variants for specific helmets, due to differing ear cuts. Standard FAST high cut helmets (FAST XP, Carbon, Bump, etc) share ARC rails, the Maritime has its own ARC rails to accommodate the super high cut shell, and the Sentry has its own ARC rails.

Skeleton ARC Rails

FAST Skeleton ARC rails were introduced in 2017 with the FAST SF. They replace the standard ARC rails on the current generation of FAST helmets.

Skeleton ARC rails for the ACH also exist. They were introduced earlier in 2014.

Skeleton ARC rails were not made for the FAST XP Legacy or similar profile helmets, but instead use an adapter kit to allow the newer profile ARC rails to mount to the older profile high cut shell.

Hexagon Shroud

A shroud made by Russian company Hexagon compatible with FAST type helmets. It is unknown whether it is an original design or a copy of a western one.

Gallery

Гайд по установке подушек в пехотном и SF варианте

Отстрел шлема Zащитник - 1 от Бронеэлементы СОМОВА

In popular culture

Media	Notes	Date
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3	FAST XP Legacy + VAS shroud worn by Delta Force members, by the character Sandman and by the character Frost	2011
Medal of Honor: Warfighter	FAST Maritime and FAST XP Legacy with the oldgen VAS shroud worn by various characters.	2012
Zero Dark Thirty	FAST Maritime worn by the SEALs	2012
Battlefield 4	FAST XP Legacy + VAS shroud worn by the US Assault class	2013
Call of Duty: Ghosts	FAST Carbon worn by Keegan in the level Federation Day. FAST XP Legacy + VAS shroud worn by Ajax in the level Legends Never Die	2013
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi	FAST Bump worn by Jack Silva, Oz and Tig	2016
Escape from Tarkov	Available as a customization option	2017
GROUND BRANCH	Available as a customization option	2018
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint	Available as a customization option	2019
Roblox	User-Generated hat	2019
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II	FAST XP Legacy + VAS shroud worn by Los Vaqueros in campaign, FAST SF in multiplayer skins	2022