Come see us at the 2025 Florida SWAT Roundup next week over at booth 4S from Sunday, November 2nd through Friday, November 7th. Check out our product line-up and catch up with our team to learn more about what’s coming in 2026!
To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train.
For more information visit First-Spear.com.
As automated technology rapidly integrates into daily life, its impact on modern warfare is profound. Military divisions worldwide are deploying AI on the battlefield for defence, attack and reconnaissance. In a recent summit held in the Netherlands, 80 nations met to discuss the ethical and operational use of AI in military applications. More than 60 countries agreed to permit AI-driven combat strategies, recognising its potential to enhance decision-making and reduce human risk. Here, Taylor Eisenhauer, product manager at connector specialist PEI-Genesis explains the pros and cons of using AI in military operations.
The adoption of AI in defence is accelerating, with global military AI market projections expected to reach US$18.558 billion by 2029, up from US$4.956 billion in 2024, driven by advancements in machine learning, robotics, and autonomous systems. The deployment of AI-driven combat vehicles, drones, and robotic units is revolutionising modern warfare, reducing reliance on human personnel in high-risk environments.
However, certain issues remain regarding the advantages and concerns of employing AI on the battlefield. While AI offers enhanced strategic decision-making and operational efficiency, it also introduces significant ethical and security dilemmas.
Pros:
The use of AI in advanced military software and technologies can provide safety to soldiers, reduce human labour, and improve decision-making.
In terms of safety, humans can delegate dangerous tasks to non-human agents to protect themselves. For example, tactical ground robots can navigate terrains and handle explosives that can potentially harm personnel in combat. At the same time, robotic dogs can be utilised as an extra hand to carry or fetch necessary equipment. Using robots can save many human lives since these tasks can be performed without harming soldiers.
The United States believes that AI can reduce risks for soldiers by reducing human labour. War can put significant stress on the human body, and soldiers can become fatigued, impairing their ability to focus and perform effectively. This can lead to human error, harm mission success, and result in significant injuries or even defeat.
However, with AI, soldiers can utilise their time and energy better. For instance, rather than driving combat vehicles or flying aircraft, AI can take complete control and allow soldiers to focus their efforts elsewhere, such as analysing data and prepping for battle. This can significantly reduce the risk of injury and increase the chances of mission success.
Improved decision-making is another benefit of using AI. More accurate data analysis can help better target opponents. With automated technology, we can make smarter and safer decisions in combat with little to no mistakes. Drones and AI are utilised to identify and communicate risks or threats that may occur. They can more accurately determine objects in the distance, providing an advantage in preparing for an attack.
Cons:
On the other hand, some see AI as a setback or disadvantage due to the potential risks and dangers that can arise when trusting technology.
Security threats are a major concern with AI. There is a potential for AI to be hacked or manipulated by adversaries. If these systems are compromised, sensitive information can be stolen and exploited to the opposing team’s advantage.
The use of automated technology and AI, particularly in military robots, is a topic that sparks ethical concerns. With robots capable of performing tasks more efficiently and precisely than humans, there is a potential for one side to have an unfair advantage, leading to the replacement of human soldiers with machines. The result of this could be a future where wars are fought between robots, raising ethical questions about the morality of warfare.
Another issue arising from the use of AI is its unpredictability. If something goes wrong, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible. This concern becomes more significant as AI technologies become more advanced, with the potential to carry out tasks autonomously. If AI were to malfunction, innocent civilians could be harmed, and it is unclear who would be held accountable. Furthermore, granting machines a mind of their own may lead to unforeseen consequences; therefore, we must approach the development and deployment of these technologies with caution.
Prepare for the future of modern warfare
The debate about allowing AI to be used in modern warfare is endless. However, the reality is that AI is being implemented in military technologies worldwide, and nations must be equipped to protect and defend themselves.
To prepare for modern warfare, durable and reliable electrical connectors are needed to support these advanced technologies in harsh environments—PEI-Genesis partners with industry-leading suppliers to provide a broad inventory of products suitable for these demands.
For example, the Amphenol 2M Series of lightweight, micro-miniature circular connectors maximise SWaP (size, weight, and power) and meet D38999 specifications for vibration and shielding but weigh less than standard D38999 connectors. Whether this product is for a soldier’s headset, tactical or handheld equipment, airframes, or avionics boxes, the Amphenol 2M Series has application flexibility with multiple coupling types available to fit different electrical and mechanical requirements.
To find out more about the wide range of connectors for military operations offered by PEI-Genesis, visit www.peigenesis.com.
Anduril’s launch of Eagle Eye during the recent AUSA Annual Meeting created quite a bit of discussion among those in the helmet industry as well as those who wear them. In response, we received this “State of the Industry” report from an inside who we will keep anonymous. The perspective is their’s and will hopefully serve to educate our readers.
The recent reveal of Anduril’s Eagle Eye helmet system at AUSA 2025 sparked a lot discussion regarding helmets and where the industry is with regards to what the user wants. Anduril did not present any performance specifications for the helmet. All we know now is that they are in collaboration with Gentex to optimize the helmet. At first glance, the helmet looks very close to the head with a relatively thin shell. Comments have been made that is essentially comparable to an exotic car prototype being revealed at a car show to spark interest in that manufacturer. But what is the rest of the helmet industry doing? Are they in step with what users are expecting? Have they made any progress in terms of protection over the last ten years or is it more of the same. This article discusses those topics by branch of service and manufacturer.
United States Army
The United States Army Next Generation Integrated Head Protection System is probably one of the most criticized helmet programs in the industry. This program dates way back to 2012 when it was originally called the Soldier Protection System. At that point in time, the helmet consisted of a shell and a fairly large ballistic applique to stop the small arms threat that was relevant to the Army. This was a very big and very bulky helmet that was competed between Gentex and Ceradyne. Note that Ceradyne was ultimately purchased by Avon so this became an Avon program. Ceradyne won the SPS program with a unique shell and rail design. The rail was a custom Ceradyne design that did not have any accessories ready to connect to it, unlike the Gentex/Ops-Core rail which is now industry standard. Around 2018, the two key domestic polyethylene providers had a break through in performance which provided protection from the small arms threat WITHOUT the need for the ballistic applique. To the Army’s credit, they scrapped the SPS program and released the IHPS program which drove down the areal density shell requirements to give the soldier a lighter more comfortable helmet. This was followed up by the NG-IHPS program which is now the formal program of record for the Army with both Avon and Gentex producing helmets likely through 2027 and a plan to onboard LTC in the near future as a third supplier.
With regards to performance, the NG-IHPS helmet is actually very impressive and offers more ballistic protection then the ECH at a lower areal density. It is a huge leap forward in terms of the weight to protection ratio and this achievement consistently get lost under other criticisms. What draws criticism from the user community is the rail, which nothing other than an enormous mandible attaches to, the visor, which has to connect to the NVG bracket, and the comfort and lack of stability of the liner and the chinstraps which need two hands to adjust. The liner is considered to be outdated, featuring Team Wendy Zap pads, which have been around for over a decade and a D30 crown pad. The liner pad design is driven by a 14fps requirement, which is double the impact energy of the SOCOM 10fps requirement. This requires a thicker stiffer pad which is partially the reason the liner is so uncomfortable. Furthermore, there is growing sentiment that the Army needs a high cut version of this helmet system.
These concerns have not fallen on deaf ears. The Army has asked industry to provide new liners to increase comfort and is considering the 10fps requirement instead of 14fps. In addition, the Army has requested custom pads from industry for hot and cold weather pads. Furthermore, the Army has requested updated rail designs from both Avon and Gentex to allow for better integration of accessories such as flashlights, cameras etc.
At AUSA, Gentex pulled out all the stops and show cased what the NG-IHPS helmet could be with a new rail, new liner, new chinstrap, new visor, integrated communication headset through rail arms and even a version of the helmet featuring the Gentex RaiLink Power and Data System. Unfortunately, it was only shown to key customers like program managers.
Marine Corps
The Marine Corps recently competed the Integrated Helmet System between Galvion and Gentex with Galvion being down selected as the awardee. This of course has led to a protest from Gentex which is typical of the Galvion / Gentex rivalry, more on that later. The IHS helmet also features small arms threat protection but to a lesser degree than the NG-IHPS helmet. It also features a power and data system, which in this case may be the Galvion Cortex system after this winds its way through the protest process, which can take months and even years.
SOCOM
The Program Management for SOCOM has driven innovation in the head protection space, more than any other government organization, period. They were the first Government organization to full adopt a high cut polyethylene helmet with rails and continue to drive down weight and drive up performance using a five year cycle of competition for the Family of Tactical Headborne Systems. Gentex is the incumbent provider of this helmet, having beat out Galvion in 2019, which of course was followed by a Galvion protest. Gentex and Galvion have competed directly against each other on helmet programs and in court more than any other pair of companies in the industry. They have competed against each other for every major helmet program in North America and Europe. They recently went to court for violations of intellectual property with Gentex winning a decision that Galvion had indeed violated Gentex IP with their version of the helmet rail. Currently the two companies have both submitted helmet systems for the current FTHS competition which should be downselected to a winner in the first quarter of 2026. Both helmets systems are elite in terms of the weigh to performance ratio, offering 9mm protection at an areal density of roughly 1 pound per square foot.
Ironically, Team Wendy did not compete for FTHS in 2019 and has declined to compete for FTHS in 2025. Team Wendy is a division of AVON, and the AVON mantra of “simpler is stronger” may have cost them this opportunity as they were not willing to tool up the required four sizes of shells. Team Wendy only has two sizes of shells while Galvion has 5 and Gentex has 4.
SOCOM continues to pace the industry not only with the best helmet systems available but also technology upgrades such as Gentex’s RaiLink Power and Data rail system which has been purchased by the Army Special Missions Unit.
Overseas
The largest overseas program was competed in 2024 and awarded in 2025 by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. Again, Galvion and Gentex were the two main competitors for this program and each company was awarded different tranches of the tender. Galvion has an inside edge on the rapidly growing European Helmet Market now that they are producing helmets in Poland while Gentex continues to produce helmets for Ground applications solely in the United States.
Anduril
This brings us back to the Eagle Eye Helmet System. Anduril took a “first principles” approach towards their new helmet design, rejecting industry knowledge to bring something lighter and higher performing to the market. This might make sense in a software context where the rules of physics are not constraints. Every branch of service has improved their ballistic protection to weight ration substantially over last ten years and in some cases reduced their weight burden by 50% while still offering the same levels of protection. Industry has provided these customers what they asked for and then some.
With regards to Visual Augmentation Systems, if you are lucky enough to use the L3 F-PANO or Elbit ENVG-B, you will experience the very best of what the VAS industry has to offer and it is incredible. The thermal outline mode is just one of the features that these production tubes offer now that will impress even the most jaded user and it is a real thing that L3 is selling now. This is one of the key difference between Eagle Eye and the current systems that it says it outperforms. L3 and Elbit just don’t feel the need to go on the Joe Rogan Experience to discuss their technical breakthroughs.
So then, who is the customer for Eagle Eye? It is not a program of record. Neither Army, USMC or SOCOM have asked for it and none of them are funding it. However, they are buying NG-IHPS, FTHS, F-Pano and ENVG-B because those programs have delivered on what the user community has asked for. And where the programs have fallen short (IHPS Liner for example) the program offices have reacted to improve their systems. The customer for Eagle Eye is the general public, and what’s for sale is shares in Anduril when and if they become publicly traded. Anduril is not creating a system to benefit the user, they are creating a system to draw interest in their company. Joe Rogan has never purchased or influenced a Government Program Acquisition. This is not intended to answer the mail for the user community but rather spark the interest of the general public.
Flux Defense shared this message late Friday via social media.
Unit procurement reps, S8’s, and GPC holders, we are actively scheduling capabilities demonstrations with units/installations for the Flux Raider M17/M18 program.
BLUF: Non-serialized grip module converting issued pistol weapon systems into collapsible Personal Defense Weapons. Limited penetration, overpressure exposure mitigation, confined space ready, modular with currently issued lights/lasers/optics.
Contact leo-mil@fluxdefense.com
ADF and civilian skydivers compete in a formation skydiving serial during the New South Wales Skydiving Championships in Moruya. Photo: Rod White.
Australian Defence Force personnel dominated at the NSW and Queensland State Formation Skydiving Championships held in Moruya, Tully and Toogoolawah.
Personnel from Army, Navy and Air Force won gold in formation and vertical formation events at the championships, held from October 3 to 6.
Plummeting towards Earth at terminal velocity, competitors performed a predetermined set of formations in about 35 seconds.
ADF Parachuting Association president Major Holly Godwin said a camera person jumps out with them, filming the team doing the formations. The footage then goes to a judge who scores the routine.
“The team that completes the most moves within the time allocated scores the most points. You need to finish with the highest score to win,” Major Godwin said.
A serial begins with kit preparation on the ground: suit up, altimeter, parachute, check.
Then it’s 15 minutes in a plane to 14,000 feet. Fifty seconds in freefall. Thirty-five seconds to perform. Deploy parachutes at 4500 feet and float back to the ground in about two minutes.
“Then everyone high-fives each other when they land safely,” Major Godwin said.
For formation, a team of skydivers builds geometric patterns in the sky with their bellies to the Earth.
Vertical formation is similar, except divers adopt high-speed positions, with their head or feet pointed straight towards the ground. This reduces drag, increases speed, and makes for a more challenging serial.
The association is looking for new skydivers to join. An Australian Parachute Federation B-licence is required to get on board.
While skydiving can be expensive, the association covers members’ costs for competitions and events while representing the ADF.
Anyone interested in joining the ADF Parachuting Association should email sky.diving@defence.gov.au
By Sergeant Matt Bickerton, Australian Army
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To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting edge-tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.
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