Special Operations

Viper to protect German Army SF

11th December 2020 - 16:31 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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Customised helmet passed an exacting competitive evaluation process

SF units in the German Army will be equipped with a customised Baltskin Viper helmet from Galvion, the US-headquartered company announced on 11 December.

Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics (RSE) will act as the in-country contracting entity for the Galvion helmet, following an open competition under the Specialised Forces Helmet programme.

A five-year contract (with an optional two-year extension) will see RSE provide up to 20,000 helmets. Deliveries will begin in Q2 2021 under an initial order for 5,000 helmets.

The value of the deal was undisclosed

The bespoke Viper helmet was developed to ‘rigorous performance and technical standards’ from the German MoD, Galvion noted, with ‘thorough testing and an extensive user evaluation prior to being selected’.

Viper is ‘lighter, offers better protection and improved integration with soldier-borne communication devices and NVGs than the current fielded helmet, and end-user feedback rated the helmet comfortable and high-performing’, the company added.

The helmet features the proprietary Galvion Modular Suspension System which has been configured to meet a variety of impact standards and mission requirements.

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