FAST SF Next Generation Headborne System

The Ops-Core FAST SF Next Generation Headborne System is the current production flagship of the FAST line and the helmet most premium aftermarket setups are now built around. Gentex (Ops-Core's parent) launched the redesign in 2024 and made it the official replacement for the legacy FAST Maritime, the helmet that defined the SOF aesthetic for a decade.

The hybrid shell combines carbon fiber, unidirectional polyethylene (UHMWPE), and woven aramid in layered construction. At 1.23 lb (557 g) for a size large shell, it is 8-10% lighter than the FAST Maritime while meeting the same NIJ Level IIIA rating (9mm FMJ at 1,400 fps). For users running PVS-31As, BNVDs, or dual-tube setups with comms, that weight reduction is meaningful at the end of a long night.

Standard configuration includes ARC accessory rails and a VAS-pattern shroud for direct mounting of Wilcox G24, Norotos TATM, or any dovetail-interface NVG arm. The shell ships in Super High Cut geometry, which raises the ear line enough to integrate ARC-mounted gel cups from AMP, ComTac VI, or Sordin Pro-X without bottoming on the rim. Build-to-order lead times run 6-12 weeks through Gentex direct.