View source for SPECTRA helmet

{{Short description|French military helmet}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more footnotes|date=February 2013}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2018}}
}}

{{Infobox military gear
| name               = SPECTRA F2 helmet
| image              = File:Casque-spectra-2.JPG
| image_size         = 300px
| alt                = 
| caption            = Spectra helmet in OD color
| origin             = France
| type               = [[Combat helmet]]
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1992–present
| used_by            = See ''[[SPECTRA helmet#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = [[Bosnian War]]<br />[[Kosovo War]]<br />[[War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)]]<br />[[Mali War]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = CGF Gallet (Currently MSA Gallet)
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = CGF Gallet (Currently MSA Gallet)
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 
| number             = 
| variants           = See ''[[SPECTRA helmet#Variants|Variants]]''
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| weight             = <!---{{convert|123|kg|lb|abbr=on}}--->
| length             = <!---{{convert|123|cm|in|abbr=on}}--->
| width              = 
| height             = 
| diameter           = 
}}

The '''SPECTRA helmet''' or '''CGF Gallet Combat Helmet''' is the [[PASGT helmet|PASGT-style]] [[ballistic helmet]] in use with the [[French military]], and the armies of several other countries. Built by CGF Gallet (producer of the [[F1 helmet]] for firemen), it weighs {{convert|1.4|kg|abbr=on}}, is available in three<!--3 not 2, see 'Models' below--> sizes, and is made from [[ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene]] ''Spectra'' fibers, produced under [[license]] from [[Honeywell]].

The SPECTRA helmet can stop [[fragmentation (weaponry)|shell fragments]] of {{convert|1.1|g|oz|abbr=on|lk=on}} travelling at {{convert|680|m/s|abbr=on}}, an 80% improvement over the [[Modèle 1978 helmet]] it replaced.

== History ==
[[Image:Casque-spectra-ONU.JPG|thumb|The first models were made for [[United Nations peacekeeping]] operations, and were blue in the mass.]]

The SPECTRA helmet is the result of studies conducted in the 1990s, intended to design the helmet for the [[French Army]] of the 2000s.<ref name="French F2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.world-war-helmets.com/fiche?q=Casque-Francais-composite |title=World War Helmets - Erreur 404 |access-date=2018-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304231545/http://www.world-war-helmets.com/fiche?q=Casque-Francais-composite |archive-date=2018-03-04 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1992, the conflict in the former Yugoslavia placed large numbers of French troops in contact with well-trained and well-equipped forces,<ref name="French F2"/> especially [[sniper]]s during the [[Siege of Sarajevo]], where heavier protection than the [[Modèle 1978 helmet]] proved necessary.<ref name="SPECTRA history">{{Cite web |url=http://www.cascoscoleccion.com/francia/frspectr.html |title=Mº F-2 Spectra |access-date=2018-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304231656/http://www.cascoscoleccion.com/francia/frspectr.html |archive-date=2018-03-04 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Le casque bleu SPECTRA M1 |language=fr | trans-title=The SPECTRA M1 blue helmet | year=1992 | url=https://www.musee-du-genie-angers.fr/fpdb/20251219-9-casquebleuspectram1.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221114524/https://www.musee-du-genie-angers.fr/fpdb/20251219-9-casquebleuspectram1.pdf | archive-date=2024-02-21}}</ref>

The Army requested an emergency study for the new helmet, and tests were made, which selected the [[Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene#Applications|Dyneema]] fiber. Gallet drafted a model based on the [[Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops]] (PASGT or ''Fritz'') helmet used by the [[United States Army]],<ref name="SPECTRA history"/> and produced a first series of 5,000 which was immediately made available to the [[United Nations peacekeeping|blue helmets]] in the [[Yugoslavia#Breakup|former Yugoslavia]]. These first models were mostly blue in color. Later models used the NATO green color.

They gradually equipped all French troops, with priority given to units on missions in foreign territories. This completely replaced all the 1978 helmets in French service.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://foreignlegion.info/uniforms/ |title=French Foreign Legion Uniforms |website=French Foreign Legion Information}}</ref>

At one point, it was tested by the Uruguayan military, but it was not adopted.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gostak.co.uk/composites/uruguay/ |title=Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets URUGUAY URUGAUYAN helmet, Kevlar helmet |access-date=2018-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304173652/http://www.gostak.co.uk/composites/uruguay/ |archive-date=2018-03-04 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Description ==
The helmet is made of Spectra fibre. It is not [[bulletproof]] against rifle or carbine bullets. It is a fragmentation-resistant helmet with a maximum distortion (loss of shape) of {{convert|20|mm|abbr=on}} from a 9mm [[full metal jacket bullet]] (FMJ) of 8 g (124 gr) travelling {{convert|430|m/s|abbr=on}} on impact. It has a resistance to fragments that meets NATO Standardised Regulation ([[STANAG]]) 2920, V50 mini, which is {{convert|680|m/s|abbr=on}}. Resistance to shock-impact meets protection standard EN397 for industrial helmets.

The helmet can be worn with [[earmuff]]s 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 development of the SPECTRA helmet.

==Variants==

===M/96===
In the early 1990s, the Danish army began looking for a replacement to the old US [[M1 helmet]] designated ''M/48 Steel helmet'', which had been the standard helmet in Denmark since World War 2. The M/96 helmet was officially brought into service in 1996 as the M/96.<ref name="Denmark">{{Cite web |url=http://www.world-war-helmets.com/fiche?q=Casque-Danois-Mle-96 |title=World War Helmets - Erreur 404 |access-date=2018-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304231603/http://www.world-war-helmets.com/fiche?q=Casque-Danois-Mle-96 |archive-date=2018-03-04 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Helmet covers====
The removable [[helmet 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 with no 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. [[M84 camouflage pattern|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 [[M84 camouflage pattern|M/99 Desert camouflage pattern]] and a big rubber rim to hold it tight to the helmet. Made of the same fabric as the M/03 Desert uniform: 90% cotton & 10% polyester.

===CG634===
{{main|CG634}}

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

{{refimprove section|date=December 2023}}

* {{AUT}}: Service helmet of [[Bundesheer]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-25 |title=Tausende neue Kampfhelme für das Bundesheer |url=https://milnews.at/2016/kampfhelme/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=milnews |language=de-DE}}</ref>
* {{BAN}}: Standard service helmet.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
* {{flag|Canada}}: Used helmet design for creation of CG634.<ref name="CMP">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mpmuseum.org/securhelmet.html |title=Canadian Forces Helmets |access-date=2008-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113170332/http://mpmuseum.org/securhelmet.html |archive-date=2017-11-13 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|Denmark}}: Designated M/96 in Danish service<ref name="Denmark"/>
* {{flag|Djibouti}}{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
* {{flag|France}}: The F2 helmet was adopted by the French Army.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gostak.co.uk/composites/france/ |title=Composite Helmet, Ballistic helmets, Military helmets FRANCE, FRENCH, SPECTRA helmet, Kevlar helmet composite helmets index |access-date=2018-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227181444/http://www.gostak.co.uk/composites/france/ |archive-date=2018-02-27 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{MAR}}: Standard helmet of [[Royal Moroccan Armed Forces|Military of Morocco]].{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
<!--* {{flag|Yugoslavia}}: The M/98 CGF Gallet S.A was acquired in 1998 for the antiterrorist actions for police unit "PJP" in Kosovo.-->

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Spectra helmets}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126024504/http://www.gallet.fr/index.php?id=403&L=5 |title=Casques Militaires |date=03/04/2018}}

{{helmets}}

[[Category:Combat helmets of France]]
[[Category:Military equipment of Denmark|Helmet]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s]]