SPEAR Modular/Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH)Overview:Special Operations Forces Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements (SPEAR) is the United States Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) modernization effort for the joint (Army, Navy, and Air Force) Special Operations Forces (SOF) operator. SPEAR will focus on four areas of improvement in personal equipment from 1996 - 2005 including the Modular/Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH). The SPEAR MICH provides the SOF operator the flexibility to tailor ballistic/impact protection and communications to the mission using one modular system.Description:MICH is a modular helmet system that provides ballistic, fragmentation, aural and impact protection, while being night vision, communications and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) equipment compatible. The MICH is intended to replace standard government and commercial helmets, communications and aural protection items currently in use. The MICH helmet (w/o comm) weighs approximately 3 lbs. and will be compatible with standard and SOF-unique clothing and individual equipment. Ballistic Helmet: The ballistic helmet provides 9mm (handgun) and fragmentation protection within the spectrum of environments (climatic, salt water, fresh water, POL, etc). The helmet allows maximum sensory awareness for the user, which includes unobstructed field of view and ambient hearing capabilities. It also allows mounting of night vision devices and oxygen masks. The helmet’s retention/suspension system provides maximum balance, stability and comfort, while providing the proper size, fit and ventilation. The pad suspension system provides adequate impact protection throughout all joint SOF operations, to include Static Line and Military Free Fall airborne operations. The ballistic helmet, retention system and pad suspension system may be worn with or without the communications subsystem. Communications Subsystem: The communication subsystem is intended to provide aural protection as well as a dual channel communications capability. The subsystem provides aural protection, occluding and non-occluding communications, omni-directional hearing, ear-specific communications (dual channel), low profile microphone(s), microphone adapter for mask microphone, multiple radio and intercom adapters, and push-to-talk access. The headset may be worn alone or with the ballistic helmet retention system and pad suspension system. |
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Last Update: 1 April 2003
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