Galvion, a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, has been awarded the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Integrated Helmet System (IHS) contract. The five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract from the Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has a maximum value of $131,396,296. Galvion’s customized Integrated Helmet System was developed over multiple years under the scope of an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) to meet the unique operational requirements of the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Galvion IHS Solution is a functionally robust, USMC-mission-focused system that is optimized to meet all USMC technical requirements. The no-through hole, hi-cut helmet is a proprietary geometry (introduced commercially as the Hellbender™ platform earlier this year) that combines an ECH front shape for ease-of-integration with existing accessories and a ridged-back design that provides structural stability. It features the latest version of Galvion’s best-in-class Apex™ lining system, which includes improvements incorporated as a direct result of Marine feedback, resulting in a better-fitting, balanced and more stable helmet platform for SBNVG and ECOTI mounting.
Galvion’s E.D.G™ power management system integrates easily, offering scalable operational capability for Marines. The helmet was designed to support single-size components (NVG shroud, rails, harness, accessory straps) for ease of maintenance and supply logistics, with a clear upgrade and support path through its service life.
Galvion designed, built and tested prototypes demonstrating technical capabilities and integration with current USMC equipment including communication devices and visual augmentation systems, and delivered over 1000 systems across two configurations to meet the Marine Corps trial and evaluation requirements:
- ‘Block 0’ Baseline System: helmet featuring NVD shroud with stabilization bumpers, IHS rails with NVG clips and O2 attachments, NVG bungees, External Loop Pattern, Battery Retention Straps, the latest APEX™ liner system, and a customized helmet cover with cable management.
- ‘Block 1’ Integrated System: built off Block 0, with the addition of the E.D.G scalable power pack, single and dual cables to power SBNVG & SBNVG with ECOTI, Integrated Strobe, Task Light and optional HED.
Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for the entire Galvion team. This program has been a uniting force across our organization and has driven us to innovate, integrate and collaborate faster and better as a team. From the research and development done in our Warfighter Lab to design a more stable system, to the helmets produced in our Vermont facility, to the E.D.G power and data component coming out of our New Hampshire headquarters – this has been a true team effort.” He added: “The United States Marine Corps are some of the world’s most demanding users, and our solution offers them a fully integrated helmet system that has been designed specifically to evolve with technology to support the Marines advanced mission needs. The development process for this system highlights the Marine Corps Systems Command’s commitment to working with industry to find the absolute best solution for Marines. We had such a high level of engagement with users throughout this process – through the multiple Limited User Evaluations and Ballistic Testing events organized by the MCSC and the dozen additional Galvion internal sessions that they supported. We incorporated feedback after every evaluation stage to ultimately deliver a system that has been designed by Marines, for Marines. We look forward to continuing this collaborative process as we outfit Marines with our helmets and support their evolving needs for years to come.”
Look at the Marines with a modern high cut. Glad to see they didn’t follow the army by adopting a FUGLY low function homebrew helmet.
They already had high cut helmets. They added a high cut option to their ECH contract and have had them for several years.
I would like some for the Army too please….
Best we can do is IHPS
Do you have any insight on what Palmer Luckey and Anduril are doing with IVAS?
He indicated that his intent is to transform it into a wholistic system, with a new ballistic helmet and integrated accessories (hearing protection/comms, ID, etc).
The helmet is called Eagle Eye and not ready for prime time.
So will Galvion put actual Ops-Core rails on their helmets now?
No
Stupid question: high-cut helmets are very popular, since headsets are much easier to put on and adjust, but with Ukraine, we’re seeing a lot more casualties from shrapnel due to artillery, mortars, missiles etc. Near-peer fights with both sides having access to all of those weapons looks like a big future problem, especially with the lesser coverage high-cuts have.
Are helmet manufacturers, or hearing protection companies, doing *anything* to address this issue? TW has clip on IIIA armour panels for their high-cuts, but they won’t work with headsets, unless you put your headset on first with a head band, THEN the up-armoured helmet over it, like what people used to do with full or mid-cut helmets in the 2000s.
You really need much smaller, lower-profile mounting options for rail attached headsets, unless you go back to the “headset underneath mid or full cut helmets” days. Maybe a new low-profile rail headset mount system, which then allows rail mounted armour panels to fit over them? Any companies working on something like this?
I’d say that if you’re truly concerned about this, you can:
A. Avoid conflict
B. Wear a full cut helmet and armor vest with high collar and gorget.
I bet you will slowly see a move away from high cut’s in the future as better comms and hearing protection get adopted. Check out things like the Rev-X from Atlantic Signal. Heck, think how far earbuds have come in the last 5 years.