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Safe-Pro USA Appoints 20+ Year Defense and Protective Equipment Industry Leader as VP of Marketing and Sales as it Expands its Ballistics Business

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025

Ballistics Protection Business Ramps-Up Activity Targeting Law Enforcement and Government Contracts with New High-Performance Products and Marketing Plans

AVENTURA, Fla. – December 19, 2025 – Safe Pro Group Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAI) (“Safe Pro” or the “Company”), a developer of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled defense and security solutions, today announced that its ballistic protective products unit, Safe-Pro USA (SPUSA), has appointed Michael Wratten as its new Vice President of Marketing and Sales. This appointment is part of broad business development and expansion initiatives currently under way as it responds to the increased domestic need for advanced, high- performance body armor and the demand for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) protective gear designed to support ongoing international humanitarian demining missions.

Mr. Wratten brings more than two decades of strategic leadership, product innovation, and operational excellence in the defense and protective equipment industry to Safe-Pro USA. He has founded multiple entities focused on protective solutions, driven product strategy and design, negotiated key contracts, and fostered long-term partnerships across military, law enforcement, and commercial markets. His experience includes founding Shellback Tactical, a protective products company serving law enforcement acquired by US Patriot where he served as vice president, as VP of strategy, business, and product development at Chase Tactical and as VP at US Armor. Mr. Wratten has also advised and served as a consultant for strategy and product design at Spartan Armor and at PREVAIL. For 20 years, he also served as an officer with the Los Angeles and West Covina police departments. At Safe-Pro USA, Michael will lead strategic growth initiatives, oversee brand, and market expansion, and apply growth strategies across tactical, ballistic and EOD products lines.

“As we continue our mission to develop innovative ballistic protection solutions than can help our military, law enforcement and public safety personnel meet the ever-evolving threats, Michael’s unique combination of industry leadership, on the street experience and entrepreneurial spirit make him an ideal fit for Safe Pro,” said Dan Erdberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Safe Pro Group.

In response to increased customer activity and recent orders for ballistic plates and protective gear, Safe-Pro USA is currently implementing multiple long-term growth initiatives including:

• Expanding its Ballistic Products Portfolio – In response to the latest National Institute of Justice (NIJ) 0101.07 ballistic protection standard, SPUSA submitted five ultra-light and ultra-thin body armor and vest products for testing and certification. Obtaining the NIJ 0101.07 certification for its products will be a key differentiator in the market and will enable Safe-Pro USA to access federal and state contracts as end users in these markets upgrade the ballistic protection gear for their personnel.

• ISO 9001 and Business and Manufacturing Process Improvements – Ahead of anticipated increased production demands, SPUSA is in the final phase of its business and manufacturing process improvement program which includes obtaining a Six Sigma certification and ISO 9001 quality management certification milestones. Collectively, these efforts will enable Safe-Pro USA to meet common requirements in federal and state contracting while improving production efficiency and quality.

• Increased Marketing and New E-Commerce Sales Capability – Building on SPUSA’s over 30 years of experience serving the needs of military and law enforcement customers, in 2026, it will implement a series of marketing and sales activities including online and offline brand-building programs. This effort is designed to increase the awareness and visibility for its high performance, American-made products with potential law enforcement and government customers. Starting in January, SPUSA will be participating in the 2026 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade ShowSM (SHOT Show®), one of the largest of its kind events for target shooting, hunting, outdoor recreation and law enforcement where it plans to highlight its new NIJ 0101.07-compliant ultra-light and ultra-thin body armor. During 2026, SPUSA also intends to launch a new e-commerce, direct-to-consumer sales channel for select, in- demand products as well as conduct an array of industry-wide product marketing and advertising programs.

Commenting on his appointment, Michael Wratten added, “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Safe-Pro USA team at time when innovation in American-made ballistic protection is urgently needed. Safe-Pro USA’s long history and proven expertise in the development of advanced armor composites creates a solid foundation for the future and that is why I am so excited to support its further growth into the large defense and law enforcement markets.”

Safe-Pro USA, a HUBZone-certified small business, is a specialist in the manufacturer of ultra-premium bullet and blast resistant protection equipment utilized by domestic and international customers in the military, law enforcement, and humanitarian/peacekeeping markets. It has more than 30 years of combined experience in the U.S. defense industry with a proven expertise and strength in the design, engineering, and manufacture of advanced armor composites. Safe-Pro USA offers a full array of bullet and blast resistant personal protection equipment including complete Explosive Ordnance Disposal Systems, demining aprons and bomb blankets, body armor and ballistic plates. Many of its products are available for purchase by Federal, State and Local government customers and agencies under a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

For more information about Safe Pro Group, its subsidiaries, and technologies, please visit safeprogroup.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

About Safe Pro Group Inc.

Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI) is a mission-driven technology company delivering AI-enabled security and defense solutions. Through cutting-edge platforms like SPOTD, Safe Pro provides advanced situational awareness tools for defense, humanitarian, and homeland security applications globally. It is a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions specializing in drone imagery processing, leveraging commercially available “off-the-shelf” drones with its proprietary machine learning and computer vision technology to enable rapid identification of explosives threats, providing a much safer and more efficient alternative to traditional human-based analysis methods. Built on a cloud-based ecosystem and powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Safe Pro Group’s scalable platform is targeting multiple markets that include commercial, government, law enforcement and humanitarian sectors where its Safe Pro AI software, Safe-Pro USA protective gear and Airborne Response drone-based services can work in synergy to deliver safety and operational efficiency. For more information on Safe Pro Group Inc., please visit safeprogroup.com.

Posted in Armor, Industry, Press Release, SHOT Show | No Comments »

Adept Armor Unveils the NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible

Friday, December 19th, 2025

A breakthrough in lightweight, one-handed, high-performance facial ballistic protection.

Denison, TX. (December 2025) – Adept Armor, pioneers in next-gen protective solutions, today announced the release of the NovaSteel™ Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, an entirely reengineered facial protection module designed to meet the evolving ballistic and impact threats faced by modern warfighters, tactical teams, and security professionals. The Gen 2 model introduces a patented, sealed hinge mechanism that enables silent, one-handed flip-up operation with free-stop positioning at any angle, while preserving a lightweight form factor, wide field of vision, and exceptional ballistic performance.

Modern body armor has dramatically reduced thoracic injuries, but as coverage has improved, personal vulnerability has shifted. The face, once indirectly shielded, has become the most exposed anatomical region during ballistic engagements. Face and neck injuries are up 30 percent since Vietnam, and the face is struck over 700 percent more frequently than its surface area would predict. These shifting patterns of wounding have left the face as the most exposed region of the warfighter’s body.

?Injury simulations clearly illustrate the vulnerability of the face to ballistic and blunt-force impact, even at comparatively low velocities. As a result, the need for practical, high-performance facial protection has become paramount. The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, was expressly engineered to address this challenge, delivering substantial ballistic, fragment, and blunt-impact protection while maintaining wide visibility, ease of use, and compatibility with contemporary helmet systems.

“I’m incredibly excited to finally announce our new NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2. After nearly two years of development and countless prototypes, we’ve achieved a genuine breakthrough. The new face shield is lightweight, breathable, and exceptionally easy to operate. Users can flip it up, down, or hold it at any point in between with a simple, quiet, one-handed motion. It’s dramatically more intuitive than anything currently available,” said Jake Ganor, President of Adept Armor.

The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, represents a comprehensive redesign of Adept Armor’s acclaimed ballistic mandible platform. Its most significant innovation is its sealed, all-aluminum, patented rotating mechanism, permanently welded to a dedicated Combat Circlet, and designed for:

Silent, smooth, one-handed actuation
Free-stop positioning at any angle without detents or latches
Stable, secure operation that preserves cheek-weld, comms access, and ventilation
?A dramatically reduced mechanical footprint compared to bulky or fixed alternatives

Underneath the protective housing lies an entirely new rotational architecture, engineered to deliver a level of sophistication, durability, and ease of use unmatched in current ballistic facial protection systems.

“Helmets have come a long way, but facial protection has lagged behind. We’re working to close that gap,” Ganor explained. “This isn’t a niche accessory anymore – in terms of protection, ergonomics, and durability, it’s at a point where it can become an essential piece of equipment.”

The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, is built from high-grade NovaSteel alloy, offering robust ballistic resistance while remaining exceptionally lightweight at less than 1 pound. The sealed hinge delivers quiet, controlled operation with no clicks, snaps, or latch noise that could compromise user position. The low-profile geometry maintains a wide field of view and is fully compatible with most ballistic glasses, goggles, and common weapon optics. The mandible provides multi-threat protection against pistol-caliber ballistic impacts, high-velocity fragmentation, blunt-force events, and debris.

Key specifications include:

Ballistic Rating: 124 gr 9mm FMJ
Ultra-low BFD, enabling a tight, low-profile fit and cheek-weld capability
Wide, unobstructed field of vision with no optical distortion
High resistance to blunt impact and fragmentation
No fogging, no transparency degradation, and no visor-related distortion
Fully compatible with the ACH model and all NovaSteel helmets (2024+)

?The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible surpasses the ballistic and blunt-impact thresholds of the ACH and ACH Gen II helmet specifications, despite no formal testing protocol existing for ballistic mandibles. The design also demonstrates broad compliance with VPAM-3 helmet test criteria, maintaining low backface deformation, delivering stable edge-shot protection, and performing reliably even after sustained high-temperature conditioning at 168°F and beyond.

The mandible mounts via integrated bosses on the Combat Circlet Gen 2, leaving rail space free and requiring no drilling or modification. This Flip Mandible mounts only to the dedicated Combat Circlet supplied with the unit. It is not compatible with the standard Combat Circlet Mark II, older Circlet variants, or any third-party helmet mounting hardware. Each unit includes the NovaSteel Flip Mandible, Gen 2, and its dedicated welded Combat Circlet with integrated flip rotator assembly. Available in Black or Green. MSRP $490.00.

For more information on Adept Armor, visit its website or follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.

Posted in Armor, Helmets, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Spiritus Systems Announces LV-120 Officially Available

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

Aberdeen, NC – December 18, 2025 – Spiritus Systems®, one of the leading manufacturers of nylon equipment designed with intent for military and law enforcement professionals, has announced the new LV-120 Plate Carrier, a highly configurable, modular, and scalable system is now available for purchase through the company’s website.

The LV-120 Plate Carrier, is a fine-tuned solution of load carriage design that answers the nearly impossible demand of weight, durability, integration, adaptability and refinement. A completely new offering from its predecessor, the LV-119, the LV-120 was developed in collaboration with the professional end-user, in an effort to address the unique and diverse requirements for next-gen warfare.

At its core, the LV-120 Plate Carrier addresses the warfighter’s need to tailor the system to a constantly shifting mission profile. The design considers current cable routing requirements, various plate sizes and types, weight (2.03lbs), increased load carriage, durability and additional extensive end-user feedback.

The base configuration is a mission-ready, highly rigid plate carrier, constructed with X-Pac X50 Nylon and Nylon Laminate. The new materials, ensure a highly abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, waterproof material; ensuring the carrier is near-hydrophobic and won’t retain water. Additionally, the 3D-mesh which dries near instantaneously, lines the front and back panels, creating a space for ventilation of heat and perspiration – making the LV-120 a notable solution to virtually any environment.

Equipped with removable articulating shoulder straps, with ride-height adjustment which allows the carrier to naturally settle on the body. For those who require a quick-release function, the straps can be interchanged with the LV-120 Tubes Shoulder Strap (sold separately) for easy donning and doffing.

The front panel features a loop molle field, designed to accommodate placards, EUD’s or other mission-specific attachments. Placards can now be attached using G-Hooks, 1-inch side release buckles, or the innovative, Quick Attach Tab System. Laser cut ports for PTT securement are located on either side of the molle field, which also serve as a channel for comm-cable management. Strategically designed ingress points for future attachments can also serve as a comms passthrough into the plate bag, allowing for easy storing of excess cabling and connectors.

The rear panel is equipped with a full molle field, to accommodate a highly customizable configuration, including a 9″x 4″ loop field, for identifier patches. Rigid wings located on either side of the rear plate bag function as a mounting platform for future attachments, as well as allow the Reactive Cummerbund to have an articulated radius around the edge of the plate for guaranteed retraction with movement.

The newly implemented rigidity of the Reactive Cummerbund provides a weight transfer from the shoulders and spine by ensuring the plate bags are kept compressed against the body, without compromising the same level of comfort as an elastic cummerbund. The mounting location of the cummerbund ensures that armor plates are positioned correctly on the body, while maintaining a level cummerbund. The added rigidity also allows for heavier items to be mounted on either side of the polypropylene composite (CURV) chassis. A one-size-fits most sizeable structure, combined with a tension-adjusting shock cord system in the rear accommodates natural flexion and expansion of the body and allows for a streamlined acquisition process since there is only one size.

In an effort to consolidate logistical burden and create compatibility across brands for end users, the implementation of the #10 Zipper has been included into the LV-120. A strategic decision made in conjunction with Ferro Concepts, to create a “Universal Carrier Attachment Standard.” This new zipper will limit the compatibility of legacy Spiritus back panel attachments but allow for future developments and cross-compatibility.

Available now through www.spiritussystems.com the new LV-120 Plate Carrier comes in MultiCam®, Ranger Green, Coyote and Black.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Long Anticipated Spiritus Systems LV-120 Available Thursday @ 1500 EST

Tuesday, December 16th, 2025

Spiritus Systems has announced that the LV-120 Plate Carrier Kit release along with the LV-120 tubes shoulder strap (sold separately) will be available for order on their site Thursday, 18 December at 3 pm EST.

Available in MultiCam, Ranger Green, Coyote Brown, and Black. Sizes Medium and Large will be available at launch with Small and XL releasing at a later date.

www.spiritussystems.com

Posted in Advertiser, Armor | No Comments »

People’s Liberation Army Integrated Soldier System

Saturday, December 6th, 2025

At Milipol we got a glimpse of the QDS204E Integrated Soldier System. Interestingly, it’s shown here in MultiCam, likely to draw international clients. Nothing seen here is groundbraking but it’s nice to get a look.

Here is an article from 2022 regarding improvements to the system which seems to be in spiral development.

Considering China and Russia’s defense pact, I find it an odd choice for any NATO nations to entertain the notion of adopting Chinese defense systems. I’d suspect this display (and other companies at Milipol) hoped to draw African and Asian contingents in attendance.

Posted in Armor, Clothing, Helmets, International, Milipol | No Comments »

Milipol 25 – Quickshield

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025

Coming out of Austria is the Quickshield, a handheld buckler-style shield for knife and stabbing weapon attacks.

Measuring 19 cm x 19 cm, it is from polycarbonate with fiberglass reinforcement it fits within an outer layer of Cordura to protect it from day-to-day wear and tear.

www.quickshield.at

Posted in Armor, Milipol | 6 Comments »

Milipol 25 – Eagle Ind MMAC 3.0

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

Eagle Industries gave us a rare treat by showing something hot off the sewing table, the “MMAC 3.0.” The reason I put the name is quoted is that this latest variant of their flagship Multi-Mission Armor Carrier likely won’t retain this variant number.

It can be configured with Tubes fasteners at the shoulders and cummerbund, along with laser cut laminate construction. Additionally, there push-to-talk (PTT) attachment points at upper left and right chest and a kangaroo-style cummerbund retention flap.

Here you can see some of the panel and cummerbund options.

Like other carriers produced by Eagle, it is Berry compliant and comes in Small – XLarge sizing options.

Posted in Armor, Milipol | 2 Comments »

Aegis Kinetic Group Vertex 2.0 Plate Carrier

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

Aegis Kinetic Group is proud to announce the long-awaited release of our Vertex 2.0 Plate Carrier and Operating System. Since the release of Vertex 1.5 two years ago, we have been focused on optimizing our design approach and our manufacturing processes to create a product that strikes an effective balance between affordable production cost and a professional feature set. Initially designed for maritime applications, the Vertex has also shown its performance across various environments, including during professional deployments to the Arctic and Ukraine.

Made from water-resistant 500D Cordura laminate and weighing 15.2 oz, the Vertex can fit any S/M/L plate variant using Velcro® OneWrap adjustment tabs and a loop-lined plate backer (XL plates are compatible, depending on plate thickness). Ballistic plates are top-loaded into the front and rear panels of the Vertex, and the reinforced bottom ensures plate security during wear. An open design encourages immediate drainage during maritime and over-the-beach operations. The Vertex also features native wire routing beneath the carrier’s surface, sewn-in shock cord lashing points and other mounting options for PTTs, and integrated attachment loops for FIRSTSPEAR TUBES® Buckles and other quick-release options. The Vertex can be attached to existing S/M/L slick plate carriers to increase capability, and collapses for packing in a rucksack, duffel bag, or cargo pocket. Designed with third-party compatibility in mind, the Vertex is capable of accepting both hook/loop and shock cord cummerbunds. It is also compatible with placards using Crye-style attachments, G-Hooks, and buckles. The Vertex 2.0 Plate Carrier will be supported by the Vertex Operating System, which includes additional components such as removable front and rear load-bearing frames as well as unique placard, cummerbund, and pouch options. These and other products will be released periodically throughout the remainder of 2025 and 2026.

The Vertex 2.0 Plate Carrier and Operating System are designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. with Berry Compliant laminate and thermoplastic materials. For MIL/LE sales, email sales@aegiskineticgroup.com. Product variants with improved hydrophobic performance and flame-resistant properties, as well as other unit-specific customizations, are available upon request.

www.aegiskineticgroup.com

Posted in Armor, Press Release | No Comments »