Gefechtshelm M92
The Gefechtshelm M92 (or Gefechtshelm Schuberth B826)[2] is the standard issue combat helmet of the Bundeswehr, first fielded in 1992 as a replacement of earlier M1956 steel helmets that were previously used during the Cold War. It is made from Aramid composite materials and is used by all branches of the Bundeswehr.
| Gefechtshelm Schuberth B826 | |
|---|---|
A Gefechtshelm Schuberth B826 without and with cover | |
| Type | Combat helmet |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1992–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Bosnian War War in Afghanistan War in Donbas 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine[1] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Schuberth GmbH |
| Manufacturer | Schuberth GmbH/Induyco |
| Produced | 1992–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications (Size II Helmet) | |
| Weight | 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) |
History
The Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung) commissioned the Federal Ministry of Defence to investigate new helmet concepts at the end of the 1960s. In order to achieve a higher impact strength, different materials were tested, including titanium and plastics. However, at that time the use of titanium helmets was uneconomical due to the high production costs, while plastics were not mature enough at the time to meet military demands; composite materials were also checked. The shape of the helmet is similar to the U.S. PASGT helmet.[3]
The first M92 was issued in 1992 to the Bundeswehr.[4] Pakistan and Singapore were known to have received 826 helmets for field testing for potential adoption.[5][6]
In May 2015, it was reported that the German Ministry of Defense is considering to replace all M92s used by the Bundeswehr.[7] This is due to problems in the helmet's production where loose bolts were able to escape from inspections.[7]
Development
Induyco SA München developed the M92 based on the MARTE helmet of the Spanish Army,[3][7] consisting of 29 layers of aramid fiber.
The development costs amounted to DM2.64 million. Helmets were supplied by Schuberth GmbH and from the Spanish supplier Induyco.[8]
The helmet is marketed with four head sizes and a standard RAL 6014 olive drab color finish with other colors/finishes available as requested.[9] Its standard accessories include a camouflage helmet cover and a communication headset.[9] M92 helmet covers used by the Bundeswehr have a reversible white or Flecktarn temperate camouflage. In deployments to arid regions, a Tropentarn or desert camouflage cover is used. A blue cover is used for United Nations peacekeeping duties.[10][3]
Variations of the helmets marketed outside Germany are sold with chin straps made on the left or right side with either Schuberth or Induyco markings.[11]
Variants
Variants consists of the following:
- Combat 826: Basic M92 helmet made for the Bundeswehr.[9][a]
- 826D: a lightweight plastic parade version, replacing the M56 liner for ceremonial use in 1999.[12][2]
- M828: a paratroop version without the front peak and with a reduced flare to the brim.[13]
- 826 Swiss Armed Forces: M92 helmet made under Swiss and NATO standards for the Swiss military.[14]
Users
Current
- Austria: Used by Austrian Federal Police.[15]
- Bahrain: Has M92s outfitted with M1 helmet-based suspension system.[16]
- Belgium: Used by the Belgian Armed Forces.[17] Issued in 1995.[18]
- Czech Republic: Uses the M92 made under license as the Petris P-3001.[19]
- Denmark: Used by the Danish Armed Forces in domestic and overseas operations (including UN peacekeeping operations)[20]
- Germany: Issued to the Bundeswehr in 1992.[2] Used by GSG-9 with black covers.[3]
- Netherlands: Used both Schuberth and Induyco-made version for the Dutch military.[21] Issued in 1995.[22]
- Norway: Issued to the Norwegian military.[23]
- Switzerland: Known in the Swiss military as the Schutzhelm 04 (in German) and casque de protection balistique 04 (in French).[14][24]
- International Committee of the Red Cross: some examples were sent to IRC in Geneva.[11]
- Ukraine: 28,000 Helmets were donated by Germany in 2022.[25]
Former
- Austria: Formerly used by the Austrian Gendarmerie.[15]
Notes
- ^ As of March 2019, the Combat 826 is not being advertised on Schuberth's official website.
References
- ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/uaweapons/status/1532080133728870406. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ a b c "World War Helmets - Référence de casques de 1915 à nos jours". World-war-helmets.com (in French). Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d Revuelta, Joseba. "Casco Mo 826 Alemania RFA". www.cascoscoleccion.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- ^ Brayley 2008, p. 56
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets PAKISTAN, PAKISTANI helmet, Kevlar helmet". Gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets SINGAPORE, SINGAPOREAN helmet, Kevlar helmet". Gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ a b c "Bundeswehr tauscht Helme aus". n-tv.de (in German). RTL Group. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets GERMANY, GERMAN 826 828 helmet, Kevlar helmet composite helmets index". Gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ a b c (PDF). mercfire.com.au. Schuberth. May 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-28. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- ^ Brayley 2008, p. 57
- ^ a b Pickersgill, Greg. "The 826 - compare and contrast". www.gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- ^ Brayley 2008, p. 56
- ^ Brayley 2008, p. 58
- ^ a b . 19 June 2016. Archived from the original on 19 June 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets AUSTRIA, Austrian helmet, Kevlar helmet". Gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets BAHREIN helmet, Kevlar helmet composite helmets index". Gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets BELGIUM, Belgian helmet, Kevlar helmet composite helmets index". Gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "World War Helmets - Référence de casques de 1915 à nos jours". World-war-helmets.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets CZECH helmet, Kevlar helmetcomposite helmets index". Gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets DENMARK, DANISH helmet, Kevlar helmet composite helmets index". Gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets NETHERLANDS, HOLLAND, DUTCH helmet, Kevlar helmet". Gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "World War Helmets - Référence de casques de 1915 à nos jours". World-war-helmets.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets NORWAY, NORWEGIAN helmet, Kevlar helmet". Gostak.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ Burlet, Jürg (22 May 2018). "Steel helmet on!". Swiss National Museum. Retrieved April 7, 2020. (See also the German and French versions for the local designation of the helmet.)
- ^ "Military support for Ukraine - Federal Government of Germany". Retrieved 26 November 2022.
Books
- Brayley, Martin J. (2008). Tin Hats to Composite Helmets: A Collector's Guide. Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: Crowood Press. ISBN 978-1-84797-024-4.
External links
- Media related to M92 helmets at Wikimedia Commons