SPECTRA helmet

The SPECTRA helmet is the ballistic helmet currently in use in the French military as well as in the armies of several other countries. Built by CGE Gallet (the producer of the F1 helmet for firemen), it weighs 1.4 kg (three pounds), is available in two sizes, and made of Dyneema fibers licenced from AlliedSignal. The SPECTRA helmet is capable of stopping shrapnel of 1.1 g at 680 m/s (2,230 ft/s), a 80% improvement over the preceding Modèle 1978 helmet.

History

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

The SPECTRA helmet is the result of 1990 studies intended to design the helmet for the French Army of the 2000s. In 1992, the conflict in ex-Yugoslavia put large numbers of French blue helmets in contact with well-trained and well-equipped opponents, especially snipers during the Siege of Sarajevo, where heavier protection than the Modèle 1978 helmet was proved necessary. The Army requested an emergency study for the new helmet, and tests were made, which selected the Dyneema fiber. The company Gallet drafted model based of the "Fritz helmet" in usage in the US Army, and produced a first series of 5000 which was immediately made available to the Blue Helmets in ex-Yugoslavia. These first models were blue in the mass. Later models used the NATO green colour. They gradually equipped all French troops, with a priority given to the units on missions in foreign territories.

Description

The helmet is made of Spectra fibres, a lightweight armour material like Kevlar or Twaron. It is said that Spectra fibres are, to date, the strongest artificial fibre that exists. However the helmet is not bulletproof. It is a fragmentation helmet and it has a maximum distortion (loss of shape) of 20 mm from a 9 mm FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) bullet of 8 g (124 gr) travelling between 390 and 420 m/s on impact. It has a resistance to fragments in accordance with NATO Standardised Regulation ("STANAG") 2920, V50 mini, which is 640 m/s. Resistance to shock-impact in accordance with the EN397 standard, which is a protection standard 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 amenagements 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" is the size.

The helmet is also available without the visor, as to facilitate the use of night vision equipment, and with added protection for law enforcement.

Helmet covers

The removable 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 without a 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 large rubber rim to hold it tight to the helmet. Made of the same fabric as the M/03 Desert uniform (90% cotton & 10% polyester)