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The MSA Phalanx is a strange mask produced out of a set of cost cutting experiments. This mask is quite rare and was intended for use as mining respirators. However, as the mask proved largely unsuccessful, they would be later re-branded and advertised for riot duty. These masks have a full visor and a head harness, with an optional oral nasal cup.
As a cost saving measure, the Phalanx was designed using a 7/8 14 screw thread. Filters would screw into a free-floating male connector head, using the rubber of the gas mask to form a gasket.
These masks were also seen in the movie Terminator 2 during the raid of cyberdyne systems/skynet building being used by the riot officers.
This mask is no longer advertised and was officially discontinued by MSA somewhere in the early 2000s. MSA still produces quantities of 7/8 14 screw thread filters for a select few mining companies that have yet to switch away from the mask.
At an unknown point in its lifespan, the MSA Phalanx would be re-branded by Defense Technologies (DEF TEC), a leading producer of CS chemical discharge grenades. DEF TEC intended to leverage its heavy market share to sell the MSA Phalanx to small under-budget police departments. While it did see some adoption (most notably the NYPD), this attempt to enter the market appears to have been ill fated. These re-branded Phalanxes are significantly rarer than the MSA versions of these masks.
The tooling for the MSA phalanx is still used today to produce the MSA Ultravue, which uses a voice diaphragm replacement to accept its filters. Because both masks share the same injection mold, ring marks can still be seen on the Ultravue where the 7/8 14 screw thread would be punched out for the Phalanx.
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