Revision's concept art for the Advancement of Headborne Systems Technologies
A series of articles on SPEAR software updates is published in the best traditions of admissions to the top milsim. From the Headgear section. Since the bar has already been taken, we will continue in the same spirit, but for now let's figure out what has changed in the American concept of "armored caps" and personal communication systems.
First of all, let's start with the fact that the long-mentioned old program MICH (Modular Integrated Communication Helmet), which has been mentioned for a long time in the reports, right before our eyes, is starting to deploy into a set of new structural projects, each of which requires maximum efficiency and innovation from the accountable elements.
If you are new to the old MICH system (2000, 2001, 2002, ACH, ECH), then we recommend watching an excellent video from Dark Side, where, in addition to the general concept, very rare and little-known elements are described.
In short - MICH, this is not only a helmet, but also a set of all related equipment, which gradually developed into separate subprograms with the development of the industry. Helmet, rails, harness, headsets, PTT and other related items are all part of one concept.
With the old project, everything is more or less clear, now let's plunge a little into the history of conventionally modern equipment, the period of which began around 2012.
Referring again to the SOFIC documents to understand the development of the programs since 2014.
Back in 2014, the head protection unit still included ballistic glasses, which, according to rumors, were planned to be upgraded to screens for outputting data from devices, but due to the small area and imperfect technologies, this idea was abandoned in this design. It is also worth noting that for this period the Communications block stands apart from the Helmets | VAS group.
Next is the program distribution scheme, from which we learn the clustering of projects.
With helmets, everything is more or less clear, the OPS CORE FAST family has already firmly established itself in the list of army government purchases,
But Communications is divided into 3 subroutines:
Maritime Headset - Headsets with increased moisture protection for work in marine and water conditions (most often according to the IP68 standard)
Land Headset - Headsets for land missions (most common)
Low Vis Headset - Concealed wearing headset combined with PTT.
Please note that PTT buttons are not allocated to separate clusters in any way, as they usually come with a headset.
The next slide tells us about the requirements for these systems for the near future:
This is a more natural sound after processing through an active system and the ability to create wireless headsets.
By the way, for the period of 2014, everything became clear with the Land version, the contract was won by Peltor with its Comtac IIIs, but the Maritime version was still not figured out, so a separate slide is devoted to the requirements for it.
Isn't it true, at the time of 2014 everything was more or less simple?)
And now we'll see what changes the programs have undergone at the time of SOFIC 2017!
Note that anti-splinter goggles have finally gone into the personal protection section, and in their place the mysterious "Communications Interface" has appeared. In addition, the headset and hearing protection unit has finally returned to MICH.
The next slide with the Road Map (Table of stages) shows us the control points of the contracts and the planned dates for the change of elements:
Helmets:
- In 2018, a new generation of helmets is adopted to replace the previous OPS-CORE series and the date of the new competition is immediately set for 22 years.
Headsets:
- From 2019 to early 2021, the search and development of wireless modules is scheduled.
- In 2021, a competition for LAND version headsets is scheduled
- From the end of 2021, the start of the competition for headsets of the Maritime version is scheduled
From the following slides, you can get a little more information regarding the changes to the requirements for helmets and VAS attachment systems:
Everything here is prosaic and dry, but the slide on headsets reveals new details:
All components of these systems are now subject to classification by type of protection and purpose, and they are grouped into thematic groups, namely Maritime Communication Acessories Suite (MCAS) and Communication Acessories Suite Land (CASL).
The elements of both of these subroutines must be compatible with the Next Generation Handheld (NGHH) radio, or rather be tested in conjunction with Harris products and specialists.
The recipients of current contracts for the 17th year period are listed on file as Television Equipment Associates (TEA) and 3M Peltor.
Nevertheless, the subject of our article implies that we need to understand the structure of the upcoming concept of USSOCOM SPEAR 2020 (we called it that, don't look for proofs), so let's summarize a little about the lucky ones who have received contracts by the current period.
MICH is divided into FTHS and AHST
What are these strange abbreviations, you say. Let's detail the picture.
FTHS - Family of Tactical Headborne Systems, or the Family of Wearable-on-the-Head Systems, if very literally. More specifically, now the entire main line of components is combined under this name according to the standard modern program of protection and communication.
As of May 2019, most of the contracts in this direction were opened by OPS-CORE / Gentex, who won:
1) Contract for USSOCOM Basic Safety Helmet ~ $ 95M.
The choice fell on OPS-CORE FAST SF SUPER HIGH CUT HELMET
General view of Ops-Core SF Super High Cut
Ops-Core Official Video Presentation
News on Soldier Systems: http://soldiersystems.net/2019/04/13/ussocom-selects-ops-core-fast-sf-helmet-for-family-of-tactical-headborne-systems-awards-95-mil-contract/
2)Typeface Land in CASL subroutine
The winner was the AMP Communications Headset model, with an expanded set of accessories, you can read about detailed changes for SOCOM requirements in this article: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/special-operations/gentex-receives-contract-ussocom-sof- helmets /
Official presentation of the AMP system - https://gentexcorp.com/new-ops-core-amp-communication-headset/
 |
 |
General view of the AMP Communications Headset
News on Soldier Systems with links to contracts: http://soldiersystems.net/2019/04/08/socom-begins-procurement-of-communications-accessory-suite-land/
In the Low Vis segment, INVISIO won in the CASL program with a set of X5 headphones and a V60 Push-to-Talk system.
Proof of news on Soldier Systems in the same link as the headset from Ops-Core, but here's another additional article: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/special-operations/ussocom-selects-invisios-communications-system /
 |
 |
This completes the filling of the CASL program, and MCAS does not even start, so we will follow the fate of the Maritime set and supplement the article as soon as information appears.
Advancement Of Headborne Systems Technologies
This is a project of a family of wunderwafels of a new generation of helmets, the development of which is planned to be carried out to the technological limit. The main person involved in this project is Revision, which in 2016 received a small contract for the development of advanced systems of this type.
News item: http://soldiersystems.net/2016/07/08/ussocom-selects-revision-for-advancement-of-headborne-systems-technologies/
Prior to this, Revision tried to compete within the FTHS project - https://soldiersystems.net/2017/05/16/138433/
AHST as a whole is an attempt to transfer the technologies of the ambitious but defunct Iron Man project to a more versatile platform and give it a modular character. First of all, this is a project of an augmented reality visor or simply outputting information from various devices, over which the US Department of Defense, together with DARPA, have been fighting for a very long time.
DARPA demos heads-up display helmet system
If you look at the title picture of the article, you can roughly understand the general concept if you pay attention to the glass visor. The sheer size of the visor, compared to typical personal protective equipment, hints at an affinity with data output systems for modern fighter pilots.
Can't find any analogies?) Almost INTEGRATED HELMET AND DISPLAY SIGHT SYSTEM (IHADSS), which is used in AH-64A Apache helicopters.
In addition to Google maps on your face, as part of its advanced Batlskin Caiman Head System project, Revision proposes to increase the ballistic class of the helmet by adding overlay panels right on top of the main shockproof shell.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
While hot on the heels, we can say with confidence that Revision has definitely lost the race at FTHS, but it may well break out into innovators within the framework of new generation technologies. We will wait for new information.
This concludes our material on modern helmets and headsets, see you in the next section)
Source: https://vk.com/@sorm_tv-ussocom-spear-programmy-mich-fths-ahst-shlemy-i-svyaz
Author: SORM TV
