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REVIEW: Ops-Core FAST Base Jump Helmet
10/15/2011By SPARTANAT crew
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Lately, the Ops-Core FAST Helmet has been increasingly seen internationally among Special Operation Forces. FAST stands for "Future Assault Shell Technology," and the producing company is Ops-Core. The helmet comes in three versions: as a ballistic helmet (easily recognizable by the lack of holes in the shell), made of lightweight carbon fiber (with holes in the shell and mounted VAS Shroud), and the Ops-Core FAST Base Jump Helmet seen here (made of plastic, with holes in the top and an integrated NVG Mount).

Here you can see the main external features of this helmet at a glance: The shell is made of polycarbonate, the NVG Mount is integrated, and note the shape of the ventilation openings. On the right, you can see the typical Rails - known as FAST-ARC - for attaching accessories such as cameras or helmet lights, like the Princeton Tec MLPS.

Front view: the attachment for a night vision device arm is molded in, and the FAST logo is visible at the bottom. In the hand is the included mounting plate. The mount is designed for the standard USGI mounting plate, allowing for the attachment of accessories like the Rhino Arm for a PVS7 or 14 or even a helmet camera (e.g. GoPro). Wilcox and Norotos offer additional NVG arms for various night vision devices.

For the ARC Rails (left), there are various mounting rails included: two shown here - a Picantinny adapter and a Wing-Loc adapter - come with the FAST helmet when purchased. Below the NVG Mount (right), you can see the two retention straps for the night vision device. These bungees are standard and can be hooked under the NVG Mount when not in use.

Rear velcro on the helmet is standard. Over the ARC rails on the right and left, there are two additional velcro areas for patches. Below the helmet rim, there is a dial with lightning symbols. The Occ-Dial allows for adjustment of the helmet's strap system with a few turns.

What comes with the Ops-Core FAST Helmet: the pads in 1/2 and 3/4 inch sizes, two of which are side pads (seen on the right in the image). At the top, you can see the two mounts for the rails mentioned.

A closer look at the interior: you can see the two necessary pads fitted at the top of the helmet. The padding at the front is fixed, and at the back is the Occ-Dial. The straps are similar to those Ops-Core sells separately as a strap set for the MICH helmet. There is a plastic enclosure around the entire helmet radius, with a well-padded sweatband at the front of the forehead.

This enclosure is fixed at the front with two bolts. By pressing towards the center, you can release it to insert your Comtacs. The headband of the Comtacs runs through the pads in the FAST helmet. Once the enclosure is reattached, it holds the Comtacs in place when the helmet is removed.

The Comtacs fit perfectly into the shape of the helmet, with the straps fitting nicely over them. However, with this model, it was found that the cables visible coming from the left top of the Comtacs can press slightly after putting on the helmet. A bit of adjustment with the fingers is needed... (It might be that the test helmet is a M/L size and an L/XL size would have been more suitable.)

CONCLUSION: The Ops-Core FAST Base Jump Helmet is an impressive piece of gear: pick it up, put it on, and immediately feel like, "Wow, this is how a helmet should fit!" The padding system combined with the Ops-Core straps results in a great fit. In simple terms, the Base Jump Helmet with its plastic shell is like a ProTech helmet with a modernized padding and strapping system, similar to what modern bicycle helmets have - all at an American price of $239. The FAST-ARC Rails are highly functional, allowing for easy attachment of accessories to the helmet. All of these features make it clear why the FAST Helmet is suddenly so popular among many Special Operations units.

The Ops-Core FAST Base Jump Helmet is available internationally for around $250.

 

SPARTANAT is the online magazine for Military News, Tactical Life, Gear & Reviews.
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