Helmet "Altyn": photos, characteristics

The time of use of soldiers with hats with feathers, shakos and caps with visors long ago passed. But the various protective helmets, in which the combat armor has been transformed, come back from the past. Despite the fact that the helmet's genealogy dates back to antiquity, thanks to the evolving technologies, it was possible to create a wide variety of new models capable of providing the maximum level of protection. One of the most effective means of protection was the helmet "Altyn".

Steel helmets

Until the twentieth century, steel was used to make helmets. Such means could provide protection only from stones and small fragments flying at low speed. Steel helmets were effective in cases where a striking element hit a head weighing not more than one kilogram. If the speed of the fragment exceeded 650 m / s, he already posed a serious danger to the fighter. According to statistics, in the Great Patriotic War it was such striking means that were the most widespread.

The need for improved protection

In the late 50's, in view of the intensive development of the armaments of the armies of various countries of the world, the question of the need to improve the protection of servicemen and law enforcers appeared to the Soviet military leadership as never before. The army and law enforcement agencies were required to provide modernized helmets that meet world standards. This helmet was the helmet "Altyn", which began to be developed at the Research Institute of Steel in 1980. As the basis for the future of the helmet was involved Swiss Tig, which has been used for two years by anti-terrorist special forces in Europe.

December 27, 1979 Tig was tested by soldiers of Alpha KGB of the USSR in Afghanistan during the storming of Amin's palace. The quality of the Swiss helmet was appreciated by the leadership of the Soviet state security, and limited parties Tig were purchased purely for the needs of the KGB. It was on the model of this product and the helmet "Altyn" was designed.

Start of a new helmet

The leadership of the special subdivisions of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Union in 1980 transferred to the specialists of the Research Institute of Steel the helmet model Tig. Workers were instructed on this Swiss model to create their own national helmet, which should not be inferior to the foreign model by its technical indicators. In addition, as a source material, KGB officers were provided with all the necessary information on the manufacture of titanium helmets, assembled in due time by the Austrian company Ulbrichts.

Research Institute

By the mid-1980s, the staff of the Steel Institute had manufactured a titanium sheath for the future of protection. Also, an armored visor was designed, which in future it was planned to equip Altyn. Helmet (original product), created at the Institute of Steel, in 1984 was handed over to state security officers. His final assembly was already carried out by specialists of the KGB of the USSR. They also equipped the helmet "Altyn" with all the necessary voice communication headset.

What was finalized by the KGB specialists?

The helmet model, handed over by the designers of the research institute, was a dome that had only a titanium shell. Aramid support in the construction of the product was absent. The titanium shell did not exceed 0.4 cm. Specialists of the state security provided a helmet with aramid support and reduced the thickness of titanium to 0.3 cm.

Created on the Swiss model, the domestic protective device had a slightly different shape, but the quality was no less reliable than Tig. From an overseas model the Soviet helmet differed in the type and arrangement of the radio headset. Some models of "Altyn" were not equipped with intercoms.

KGB officers created several versions of the helmet, which differed in the following parameters:

• The arrangement of protective boxes for buttons;
• Connectors;
• Type of belly;
• The size of the armored glass visor for the visor.

Soviet specialists also created a version of a helmet with a cloth cover. In comparison with the Swiss Tig, the helmet "Altyn" was bigger.

Description

To produce a protective agent, anti-impact glass fibers and titanium were used.

• In the early models of the helmet, the thickness of the titanium shell was 0.4 cm.
• In the samples produced during 1984-1990, the titanium layer was reduced to 0.3 cm, and the aramid support and the radio head were added to the helmet design.
• "Altyn" consisted of a single dome. Stitches in the construction of this product were absent.
• The product was equipped with rubber bezel.
• The weight of the helmet ranged from 3.5 to 4.0 kilograms.
• The model was equipped with a special visor made of polycarbonate glass.
• For some versions, a cover was provided.
• The helmet "Altyn" installed a unique suspension system, with which it could easily be adjusted to the size of the head.
• Some versions were equipped with intercoms.

Who used the protective agent?

During the Soviet Union, Altyn was used by KGB officers (groups A, B and C), used by Alfa and Vympel fighters during the military conflict in Afghanistan and Chechnya. Until 2014, the equipment of the fighters of the special forces necessarily included the helmet "Altyn".

Characteristics of the armor

"Altyn" is able to protect the head from bullets, cold weapons, fragments of grenades, shells and mines. The dome of the product refers to the 2nd class of protection, armored steel visor - to 1-mu. To prevent a possible contusion of a fighter as a result of a fall or stroke is another function that the helmet "Altyn" provided. The photo of the armored helmet is presented in the article.

Alternative helmet model

During the Soviet Union, control over the creation of this helmet was assumed by the KGB. It was the security officers who carried out the final assembly of Altyn. After the collapse of the USSR the situation did not change: the battalion was accepted by the Federal Security Service of Russia. The situation did not quite suit the engineers of the Research Institute of Steel, who aspired to fully control the assembly of the helmet on the rights of developers from start to finish.

To get rid of the control of the FSB it was possible by creating a new model of the armored protection equipment KB-3, which completely copied the helmet "Altyn". The drawbacks of the new helmet were the lack of a radio headset needed to maintain communication between the soldiers. In addition, the restraints taken in the new model were riveted, and not screwed up as in "Altynakh". Nevertheless, KB-3 became a very high-quality copy of "Altyn" and completely assembled from 1990 to 2014 exclusively by the Institute's employees. Today, the serial production of these models is discontinued.

How to make a helmet at home?

For those who like to make, to make a helmet "Altyn" with their own hands will be easy if you perform the work in stages:

• First, you need to pick up a helmet that could be the basis for Altyn. To do this, you can use the old Soviet model of an open type. According to reviews, the "Salute" is ideal.
• Remove all contents from the purchased helmet. Leave only the outer shell. Also, you can leave a pad of foam.
• Using a fine-grained sandpaper, wipe off the varnish from the surface of the helmet. It is advisable not to touch the factory paint, since it is placed on the already primed plastic surface. In the future, a new paint on it will lie more evenly, and the master to improve adhesion will not have to additionally buy various plasticizers. When removing varnish, it is better to use automobile nazhdachka No. 400. Coarse-grained to apply is not desirable, because it can scratch the plastic.
• Sand the surface. On the helmet under the painting, there should be no scratches. If they are still available, it is desirable to carefully grind them. The paint will stay well and stay for a long time if the surface has no flaws.
• For painting, you can use acrylic, model or enamel paint. Before applying it, the surface should be degreased. The product should be painted in several layers. Before applying each new layer, the previous one should dry well and do not stick to the fingers. Speed up the drying process with a hair dryer. During operation, make sure that the helmet does not form stains.
• Cover the helmet with acrylic lacquer. It is possible that after drying the surface will shine strongly. You can fix this with a small piece of sandpaper. As a result, the future helmet will receive a discreet matte shade. The procedure of varnishing can not be used if the future helmet is planned to be equipped with a cover.

The final stage is to glue the fringing and hanging system. It can be strap or leather. Images of the helmet "Altyn" can be found on the Internet. From the master it already depends which version he wants to create.

Is this armored vehicle used today?

In the 1980s, the effective use of Altyn in many military conflicts allowed him to take the honorary place of the "king of helmets". This protective tool can often be seen in the movies, in photographs. This helmet was used to equip heroes of computer games. Employees of the "A" and "B" directorates of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Union have appreciated this titanium armor.

Despite the termination of the serial production of armored vehicles of this model, Altyn has not lost its relevance. It is still used today by officers of Russian law enforcement agencies, and former spetsnaz fighters respond to Altyn as one of the best means of defense.

Prospects

Today, intensively developing technologies allow the creation of new models of armored helmets from light and durable polymers. A vivid example of such equipment is the "Kiver". In comparison with "Altyn" a new protective device gives the fighter more freedom of action and reduces fatigue. You can also install light-signal equipment on the "Kiver".

According to military experts, behind the polymer helmets - the future of protective equipment.