Tactical Communications and Hearing Protection

Peltor

We strive to set the standard for confidence and trust by providing rugged, reliable protective communication equipment. Today, our Tactical Communication and Hearing Protection solutions are widely used within the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and across U.S. state and local agencies.

3M PELTOR solutions for today’s modern warfighter have been designed for use in combat and combat support operations, specifically for use with firearms and ballistic combat helmets. The hearing protectors feature external microphones for environmental listening (aka: “Talk-Through”) capability, so operators can maintain auditory situational awareness while still protecting their hearing.

You protect us. And we thank you by committing to continue to supply protective equipment.

Solutions for Conventional Forces

• Protection from Hazardous Steady-State and Impulse Noise
• Clear, Intelligible Two-Way Audio Communications via Radios and Intercoms
• Environmental Listening for Auditory Situational Awareness
• “Talk-Through” for Face-to-Face Verbal Conversation

Hearing Protection

3M Peltor Comtac Tactical Communication Headset and 3M PELTOR Tactical Earplug TEP-100 meet the single hearing protection requirement listed in DA PAM 40-501 Army Hearing Conservation Program 2015 for both steady-state and impulse noise. The hearing protectors are tested in accordance to ANSI S3.19-1974 for Steady-State Noise Attenuation and ANSI S12.42-2010 – for impulse noise protection.

Compression vs. Clipping

3M uses compression technology instead of peak clipping to handle hazardous noise that strikes the environmental microphones. Peak clipping can result in parts of a speech signal being cut off. Compression technology resolves that issue and can dramatically improve speech intelligibility.

Addressing the Hearing Impaired

While hearing aids offer significant assistance to service members with hearing loss, hearing aids cannot be worn in hazardous noise environments. TCAPS products, although not medical devices, do offer some amplification while helping protect hearing in noisy environments.

Environmental Listening –aka: “Talk-Through”

Environmental Listening is a means of allowing safe audio sounds to bypass the individual hearing protection while still protecting against harmful noises. This is accomplished with a proprietary digital audio circuit integrated into the headset.

A microphone receives the sounds outside the headset and transmits them to a speaker inside the headset. The Level-Dependent digital audio circuit senses noise levels above the desired threshhold and compresses them to a safe decibel level or amplifies weak sounds to an audible level.

Peltor Comtac III Salient Features

• Environmental Listening
• Steady-State and Impulse Noise Protection
• Two-Way Radio or ICS Communications

Configurations

• Communications: Single and Dual Communication
• Suspension: Headband, Back Band and Rail Attachment
• Color: Olive Drab Green (OD Green), Coyote Brown (CY), Foliage Green (FG), Black
• Ear Cushion: Standard or Gel

Ambidextrous Boom Mic

• Noise-canceling boom mic (that can be mounted on either left or right side by operator)
• Boom angled to minimize interference with helmet and peripheral vision

Batteries & Fail Safe

• 2 AAA Batteries that provide +400 hours of battery life
• External communications and “talk-through” are battery independent for Rx/Tx fail safe. In the unlikely event of electronic failure or battery depletion, external communications will continue to function

Environmental

• MIL-STD-810F, Department of Defense Test Method Standard for Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests
• Submersion: 3 feet, 30 minutes, salt water survivable

EMI

• MIL STD 461E, Department of Defense Interface Standard, Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment

Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR)

• ANSI S3.19-1974

– COMTAC 3 (Headband version, standard foam cushion): NRR (23) Decible
– COMTAC 3 (Back Band version, standard foam ear cushion): NRR (22) Decible

Impulse Noise Protection

• Tested at 168dB in accordance to ANSI S12.42-2010

Push-To-Talk Adapter/Tactical Radio Adapter – AN/PRC-148/152

• MIL-C-55116 6-Pin Connector
• PTT’s are designed to fit the size and shape of either hand
• PTT’s can be used with a gloved hand
• Designed to reduce accidental activation
• U-174 Headset Connection serves as a break-away connector for removal in emergency situations

Push-To-Talk Adapter/Vehicle Intercom Adapter – AN/PRC-VIC-3

• The 3M Ground Vehicle Military PTT Headset comes off-the-shelf with a Large Center PTT and an A/B Toggle for Radio/ICS Switching with AP-107 Break Away Vehicle Adapter Connector
• This configuration provides an additional capability for ground vehicle users over the older 3 Position Toggle Position by allowing to Rx/Tx over the long range radio or over the intercom without having to switch out of ICS
• When Toggled to ICS the operator speaks Hot Mic/Vox over the ICS, when the PTT is pressed, the ICS Tx is switched to Tx over the radio

Multi-Channel Radio Push-To-Talk Adapter – AN/PRC-154 Rifleman and MBITR 2

• Designed specifically to support next generation Multi-Channel Radios
• Able to support up to 4 channels
• Shielded and tested to eliminate cross-talk
• Reversible grip design to accommodate left and right handed operators

Product available through Thales Communications

Adapter Cables:

• AN/VIC 3 Adapter Cable
• 3.5 mm Jack Audio Cable
• FM50/53 Respirator Audio Cable

• Integrated Helmet Rail Attachment Option
• Maritime Variant Option
• Interoperable (“Plug n’ Play”) on Common SOF Aviation and Ground Mobility Platforms
• Engineered to Prevent Cross-talk in DUAL COMM Configurations

Heat Relief

The ability to have an “open” position of the headset allows the user to ventilate in high-heat environments but can still monitor communications in low-noise environments

Removed Pressure Points

Removal of headset band and optional eyewear goggle strap eliminates known pressure points

Stability & Balance

In the “closed” position, the ear cups will compress against the head providing additional stability for full head movement

Easy Donning/Doffing

In the “open” position, the operator can easily don/doff the helmet/headset, and adjust for proper fit

Tested and Approved

Headset and helmet tested as a system by USSOCOM for protection against steady-state and impulse noise

• MIL-C-9177 U94/A PTT
• Switching mechanism to prevent cross-talk
• Molle Clip
• 19" Custom Length
• MIL-C-55116 6-Pin Connector
• PTT’s are designed to fit the size and shape of either hand
• PTT’s can be used with a gloved hand
• U-174 Headset Connection serves as a break-away connector for removal in emergency situations
• Tested for cross-talk in DUAL COMM Configuration

• 3M Peltor COMTAC-M Headset is a maritime version of its Cots Comtac platform, designed for combat swimmer needs for Special Operation Forces Maritime missions
• System is designed to meet USSOCOM Maritime requirements
• NEW Maritime Rated Boom MIC
• NEW Environmental Microphones
• NEW In-line, Quick Disconnect wet mate-able Connector
• Interfaces to the Atlantic Signal Maritime
• Push-to-Talk for connection to Maritime Communication Assets
• Headband, Back Band, and ARC Configurations
• Coyote Brown and OD Green

Same features and functionality as Comtac III

• Hybrid approach addresses customer demand for in-ear hearing protection while retaining the advantage of the COMTAC III over-the-ear style
• Headband mechanically stabilizes the headset to relieve issues of earplugs dislodging due to cable snags and body movement
• Electronics are contained completely inside the headset housing, eliminating the need for a large, heavy radio control push-to-talk
• Headsets are backwards compatible with pre-existing PTT adapters
• Same operation as current Peltor Comtac Headsets
• No software loads or outside power required

• AN/PRC-148 MBITR
• AN/PRC-150, 152 Falcon Series
• Motorola Series
• AN/VIC-3
• AN/PRC-117, 119