The RATH
ROTARY-WING ADVANCED TACTICAL HELMET
Lighter. Wider field of view. Built for what the mission demands.
THE RATH — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I buy The RATH helmet?
The RATH is available for direct commercial purchase through Firstline Outfitters, an authorized distributor.
Contact us directly to inquire about pricing and availability.
Is The RATH available for civilian or commercial purchase?
Yes. Firstline Outfitters sells THE RATH directly to commercial and individual buyers. No government contract or procurement vehicle is required to purchase.
Who is an authorized The RATH distributor?
Firstline Outfitters is an authorized commercial distributor of The RATH tactical helmet.
Who is the RATH for?
The RATH was developed as an approved option to the HGU-56/P as the standard rotary-wing flight helmet,
and is currently worn by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Nightstalkers).
Who developed The RATH?
The RATH was developed over five years across four agencies —
USSOCOM, the Army Aeromedical Research Lab, the Air Force Research Lab, and SOFWERX.
How long does it take to receive a response after submitting an inquiry?
Firstline Outfitters responds to inquiries within 1–2 business days.
What impact and safety ratings does the RATH meet?
The RATH is engineered around the demands of real flight operations, prioritizing protection without sacrificing comfort or mobility. For specific testing or certification documentation, contact us directly and we’ll get you what you need.
Why should I choose the RATH helmet?
The RATH is a next-generation, modular flight helmet built for comfort, performance, and versatility. It’s lightweight to cut fatigue on long missions, modular to adapt as mission requirements change, and built around an optimized field of view for stronger situational awareness. The ANR headset works with or without the helmet shell, so it’s just as useful on the ground as in the air, and the integrated ventilation system keeps aircrew cooler in demanding environments. Whether you’re flying, instructing, or supporting mission ops, the RATH is built around fit, flexibility, and all-day wearability.
DEVELOPMENT
Five Years in the Making
THE RATH was forged through joint development with USSOCOM, the Army Aeromedical Research Lab, the Air Force Research Lab, SOFWERX, and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Every design decision—from shell geometry to visor mechanics—was shaped by the realities of rotary-wing special operations, not a lab bench.
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT
BUILT FROM THE SHELL UP
Carbon Fiber Shell
A carbon fiber composite shell delivers a 24% weight reduction versus the legacy HGU-56/P, reducing aircrew fatigue on extended missions without sacrificing structural integrity.
Koroyd Impact System
Koroyd™’s welded-tube structure absorbs and distributes impact force more evenly than legacy foam liners, improving crash protection across the full surface of the shell.
Hot-Swap Visor
A tool-free visor exchange in under 30 seconds lets aircrews adapt to changing light and mission conditions in the field, without returning to base.
Integrated NVG Shroud
A quick-detach NVG shroud is built directly into the shell, holding night vision steady through aggressive maneuvering while keeping the profile low.
Wider Field of View
A 9% wider field of view than the HGU-56/P improves situational awareness in both NVG and unaided flight, where peripheral awareness matters most.
True-Fit Sizing
Six true-fit sizes deliver a precise fit across a wide range of dimensions without relying on aftermarket padding to compensate for a generic shell.