The need to add accessories to helmets dates back as far as the helmet itself. The attachments themselves have varied from decorative fixtures to more functional items all attached to a helmet. Below we see just a few things added or removed on Gallic helmets.
In today's world, we find rail systems, much like you would work on a rifle to attach a plethora of accessories.
These new rails attached to ballistic helmets and bump helmets come in a variety of options, each with its unique differences and advantages. Since we are in the middle of a new rail design for our ballistic combat helmet, we will include some of our struggles as we have worked on putting out a model that not only has an excellent function but looks fantastic as well.
Picatinny Rails & Helmets
"The Picatinny rail, or Pic rail for short, also known as a MIL-STD-1913 rail, or Standardization Agreement 2324 rail, is a bracket on some firearms that provide a standard mounting platform consisting of rails with multiple transverse slots similar in concept to the earlier commercial Weaver rail mount used to mount telescopic sights." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picatinny_rail)
Looking at each ballistic helmet manufacturer, you will see various types of adapters that work with the helmet rail that is a standard MIL-STD 1913 rail. Due to the simple fact that any accessories on the market probably work in some way with this type of rail system. It's still the most standard mounting platform for tactical applications.
Hard Head Veterans has prototypes for our ballistic helmets that merely utilize a standard Picatinny rail attached to the side of a helmet. It limits the modularity of the helmet rail itself but does offer a clean and straightforward solution to attaching accessories onto a ballistic helmet.
Dovetail Rail Systems On Ballistic Helmets
Dovetail Rail systems first brought to the mass market by OPS-CORE have proved to be an ingenious design allowing for the mounting of not only MIL-STD 1913 rail adapters but of many other accessories as well. The idea is the accessories can move along a recessed rail mounted to the helmet adding increased modularity and user customization. Commonly used on the FAST helmet or high cut helmet this rail system has proved to be very valuable in allowing the end users to mount communications, lights, and a whole lot more.
Numerous ballistic helmet companies have accepted this style of rail and use it for their combat helmets. The main drawback of this rail system is its incompatibility with rifle rails, and this forces the end user to purchase specific mounting adapters for the helmet system alone.
While we have tons of R&D time into the dovetail rail system as you can see below, it ultimately is not the best system for helmet accessories in our opinion.
M-LOK Rail Systems on Ballistic Helmets
(Photo From: https://www.magpul.com/m-lok)
MTEK's ballistic helmet was the first to feature the M-LOK rail system on their helmets, but as you see below we will be following suit and there surely will be many more! Created by Magpul the simple slot design allows for increased modularity and additional accessory options. This, of course, includes MIL-STD 1913 rails. The real advantage of the M-LOK system when it comes to ballistic helmets is its compatibility across the board with mounting options.
(Photo From: https://www.magpul.com/m-lok)
It's the main reason that Hard Head Veterans has chosen to use the M-LOK rail system for our new rails instead of a dovetail or Picatinny only design. Below is a sneak peek!
