The Gefechtshelm M92 (or Gefechtshelm Schuberth B826)
is the standard issue
combat helmet of the ''
Bundeswehr
The ''Bundeswehr'' (, meaning literally: ''Federal Defence'') is the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ''Bundeswehr'' is divided into a military part (armed forces or ''Streitkräfte'') and a civil part, the military part con ...
'', first fielded in 1992 as a replacement of earlier
M1956 steel helmets that were previously used during the
Cold War. It is made from
Aramid
Aramid fibers, short for aromatic polyamide, are a class of heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibers. They are used in aerospace and military applications, for ballistic-rated body armor fabric and ballistic composites, in marine cordage, ma ...
composite materials and is used by all branches of the Bundeswehr.
History
![Bundeswehrsoldat, bewaffnet mit Gewehr G36 und Pistole P8 (10579792904)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Bundeswehrsoldat%2C_bewaffnet_mit_Gewehr_G36_und_Pistole_P8_%2810579792904%29.jpg)
The Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (''Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung'') commissioned the
Federal Ministry of Defence
The Federal Ministry of Defence (german: Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, ), abbreviated BMVg, is a top-level federal agency, headed by the Federal Minister of Defence as a member of the Cabinet of Germany. The ministry is headquartered at ...
to investigate new helmet concepts at the end of the 1960s. In order to achieve a higher impact strength, different materials were tested, including titanium and plastics. However, at that time the use of titanium helmets was uneconomical due to the high production costs, while plastics were not mature enough at the time to meet military demands; composite materials were also checked. The shape of the helmet is similar to the U.S.
PASGT helmet
Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT, pronounced ) is a combat helmet and ballistic vest that was used by the United States Armed Forces, United States military from the early 1980s until the mid-2000s, when the helmet and vest were s ...
.
The first M92 was issued in 1992 to the Bundeswehr. Pakistan and Singapore were known to have received 826 helmets for field testing for potential adoption.
In May 2015, it was reported that the German Ministry of Defense is considering to replace all M92s used by the Bundeswehr.
This is due to problems in the helmet's production where loose bolts were able to escape from inspections.
Development
Induyco SA München developed the M92 based on the
MARTE helmet of the
Spanish Army,
consisting of 29 layers of
aramid
Aramid fibers, short for aromatic polyamide, are a class of heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibers. They are used in aerospace and military applications, for ballistic-rated body armor fabric and ballistic composites, in marine cordage, ma ...
fiber.
The development costs amounted to DM2.64 million. Helmets were supplied by
Schuberth GmbH and from the Spanish supplier Induyco.
The helmet is marketed with four head sizes and a standard RAL 6014 olive drab color finish with other colors/finishes available as requested.
Its standard accessories include a camouflage
helmet cover
The helmet cover was first used by French soldiers during World War I.
Helmet covers are usually made out of canvas or cotton and come in many camouflage designs, for example: woodland, desert or urban, and different camouflage patterns like MA ...
and a communication headset.
M92 helmet covers used by the ''Bundeswehr'' have a reversible white or ''
Flecktarn
''Flecktarn'' (; "mottled camouflage"; also known as ''Flecktarnmuster'' or ''Fleckentarn'') is a family of 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-color disruptive camouflage patterns, the most common being the five-color pattern, consisting of dark green, light green, ...
'' temperate camouflage. In deployments to arid regions, a ''
Tropentarn'' or desert camouflage cover is used. A blue cover is used for
United Nations peacekeeping
Peacekeeping by the United Nations is a role held by the Department of Peace Operations as an "instrument developed by the organization as a way to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace". It is distinguished ...
duties.
Variations of the helmets marketed outside Germany are sold with chin straps made on the left or right side with either Schuberth or Induyco markings.
Variants
Variants consists of the following:
![Großer Zapfenstreich Ramstein Air Base 2002](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Gro%C3%9Fer_Zapfenstreich_Ramstein_Air_Base_2002.jpg)
* Combat 826: Basic M92 helmet made for the Bundeswehr.
* 826D: a lightweight plastic parade version, replacing the M56 liner for ceremonial use in 1999.
* M828: a paratroop version without the front peak and with a reduced flare to the brim.
* 826 Swiss Armed Forces: M92 helmet made under Swiss and NATO standards for the Swiss military.
Users
Current
![Allied Spirit I 150116-A-RJ750-008](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Allied_Spirit_I_150116-A-RJ750-008.jpg)
* : Used by
Austrian Federal Police.
* : Has M92s outfitted with M1 helmet-based suspension system.
* : Used by the Belgian Armed Forces. Issued in 1995.
* : Uses the M92 made under license as the Petris P-3001.
* : Used by the Danish Armed Forces in domestic and overseas operations (including UN peacekeeping operations)
* : Issued to the Bundeswehr in 1992.
Used by
GSG-9
, formerly (), is the police tactical unit of the German Federal Police ''( Bundespolizei)''. The state police ('' Landespolizei'') maintain their own tactical units known as the '' Spezialeinsatzkommando'' (SEK). The identities of GSG 9 memb ...
with black covers.
* : Used both Schuberth and Induyco-made version for the Dutch military. Issued in 1995.
* : Issued to the Norwegian military.
* : Known in the Swiss military as the ''Schutzhelm 04'' (in German) and ''casque de protection balistique 04'' (in French).
*
International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC; french: Comité international de la Croix-Rouge) is a humanitarian organization which is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and it is also a three-time Nobel Prize Laureate. State parties (signato ...
: some examples were sent to IRC in Geneva.
* : 28,000 Helmets were donated by Germany in 2022.
Former
* : Formerly used by the
Austrian Gendarmerie
The Federal Gendarmerie (german: Bundesgendarmerie) was an Austrian federal police agency. It was responsible for approximately two thirds of the population on approximately 98% of Austrian national territory, alongside the Federal Safety Guard ...
.
Notes
References
Books
*
External links
*
{{helmets
Combat helmets of Germany
Post–Cold War military equipment of Germany
Military equipment introduced in the 1990s