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Gentex Corporation Selected by Czech Ministry of Defence for Integrated Headborne Systems, Reflecting Global Trust in Proven Ops-Core Integrated Ballistic Helmet Solutions

Tuesday, October 28th, 2025

CARBONDALE, PA, October 27, 2025 – Gentex Corporation has been selected by the Czech Ministry of Defence to deliver next-generation Ops-Core integrated ballistic helmet systems and AMP® Communication Headsets to soldiers across the Czech Armed Forces. This order was placed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) under the NATO Logistics Stock Exchange (NLSE) contract, which is available to all NATO member nations strengthening interoperability across allied forces. The contract valued at over 1 billion CZK is scheduled for completion by October 2026. The official announcement of the selection by the Czech Ministry of Defence can be viewed here, with additional Q&A information here.

“As a global leader of integrated headborne systems, this selection reinforces what all our NATO customers already know, that Ops-Core systems deliver unmatched modularity, reliability, and operational flexibility,” said Tom Short, Senior Vice President of Global Defense at Gentex Corporation. “The Czech Republic is investing in a combat-proven solution with a global pedigree and strong NATO user base. We’re proud to be a trusted part of that modernization effort.”

The contract includes Ops-Core’s lightweight ballistic helmets, engineered for modern tactical operations, paired with a full suite of advanced, interoperable accessories including AMP Communication Headsets with Push-to-Talk capability, ballistic visors, full-face shields, mandible protection, and SOTR respirators with integrated microphones for contaminated environments. Together, they create a fully modular headborne protection system that enhances soldier safety, communication, and mobility in demanding combat conditions and are trusted by elite forces worldwide. This acquisition marks a significant step in the Czech Armed Forces’ modernization efforts, replacing legacy helmets with Ops-Core’s state-of-the-art protective solutions that deliver the next level of mission readiness and battlefield performance.
“Gentex was selected for our proven ability to deliver reliable, mission-ready solutions that meet the highest standards of protection and performance,” said Jim Clarke, EMEA Ground Systems Sales Director, Gentex Corporation. “We offer more than just advanced equipment, we deliver confidence on the battlefield. Our systems are already fielded across multiple NATO forces, ensuring seamless interoperability, simplified training, and streamlined sustainment.”

The purchased helmets and accessories are designated for brigade task forces within the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade and the 7th Mechanized Brigade, as well as for personnel across the ground forces, support elements (including cyber and information forces, air forces, and medical units), special operations forces, the Military Police, and the Cyber and Information Operations Command. Their considerable variability ensures that each set can be adapted to the specific needs of the individual user, enhancing operational effectiveness across diverse mission profiles.

Program Highlights

• Customer: Czech Ministry of Defence (via NSPA competitive procurement).
• Products and Integrated Accessories: Ops-Core ballistic helmet systems in two color variants, AMP headsets, AMP PTTs and radio cables; Step-In® Visors; SOTR respirators; ballistic mandible protection; and additional compatible mission accessories.
• Operational Flexibility: Scalable from routine ground operations to contaminated/CBRN environments (compatible with protective masks and oxygen equipment).
• Delivery Timeline: Program completion targeted by October 2026.
• Procurement Transparency: Managed through NATO’s NSPA, which aggregates allied demand, runs international competitions, negotiates pricing, and addresses intellectual property considerations on behalf of member nations.

Fielding to the Czech Armed Forces will occur under the schedule coordinated by NSPA and the Czech Ministry of Defence. Gentex Corporation will support fit, training, sustainment, and lifecycle needs as defined in the program agreement. Organizations interested in similar integrated headborne solutions should contact Gentex Corporation.

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, Helmets, International, Press Release | No Comments »

AUSA 25 – Eagle Eye by Anduril

Thursday, October 23rd, 2025

To top off my AUSA coverage I’ve saved the one thing that everyone wants to talk about. Anduril’s Eagle Eye family of warfighter augments is easily the most overhyped defense product release in years. The mainstream press loves it but they don’t know anything about Soldiering or helmet design and manufacture. What’s more, Anduril isn’t offering much in the way of technical specs. Rather, they are relying on a few AI created videos, an impressive list of industry partners, and some static displays as fodder to allow everyone to fill in the blanks with their dreams of what a helmet should be.

When the Army novated the Integrated Visual Augmentation System from Microsoft to Anduril earlier this year I leaped for joy. To be sure, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey knows what he is doing when it comes to Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality. If anybody could get this thing to work, he is our man.

Initially, the Army transformed the IVAS requirement to a Next Gen version but then introduced a completely new opportunity for industry to participate called Soldier Borne Mission Command.

Two companies ended up being selected for SBMC: Anduril who quickly put together a team of industry partners and Rivet which signed on to the Wilcox Industry-led FUSION CLAW consortium.

Concurrently, Luckey took his vision of what he believed Soldiers should be wearing on the battlefield and created the aspirational Eagle Eye system which consists of three physical components:

Heads Up Display (the glasses)

Helmet (what everyone is talking about)

Computer Armor (more on this later)

Underlying everything is Lattice, Anduril’s AI engine which I believe is their greatest asset.

While the concept is very cool, it’s also risky. Not to say that some of the greatest things we use weren’t developed by a guy with vision, but no one has asked for this complete system. Eagle Eye promises a lot, integrating power, cooling, compute and biometrics all into a ballistic shell. Perhaps USSOCOM or the Army will come up with a new requirement but so far, they haven’t. Since Anduril isn’t a name that comes to mind when you think “headborne systems” the customer is accepting some risk as well.

In addition to the HUD and helmet, Anduril went one step further, combining battery and edge processing into a hard armor plate. Some of this has been tried before and hasn’t worked. Quite a bit of it was a materials challenge, but there are also operational reasons why this doesn’t make sense. I’m not going to beat the horse here but if you’ve worn armor for a living you can create your own list. If this thing isn’t stronger, lighter, cheaper, and more efficient than the gear currently used, no one is going to adopt it.

Does Eagle Eye work? According to Palmer Luckey it does but the company hasn’t released any weights, armor aerial density, ballistic performance, or impact mitigation data. Those are the things people who actually wear helmets and armor care about. There’s definitely a cool factor afoot but in the end, if it doesn’t protect as advertised the government isn’t going to buy it and Soldiers aren’t going to wear it.

I for one would like to know more about Eagle Eye aside from some hand built models and even more importantly, I want to see what they’ve done in the SBMC space. The collaborative 3D sand table mission planning capability looks particularly enticing. Likewise, the promise of integrating EW sensors and incorporating a “non-emissive digital laser designator” are huge boons.

I had the opportunity to try an early version of IVAS out years ago. It needed work. Considering Anduril’s Lattice is the Artificial Intelligence backbone that the Army seems to be building its Next Generation Command and Control System around, they’ve got a serious leg up. Remember, the goal of SBMC is to increase situational awareness for the Soldier on the battlefield and provide usable data shared via Android Tactical Awareness Kit within the Soldier’s augmented vision along with data from other sensors, offering a single, clear operational picture.

Show us that and work on the helmet side of things with the industry partners who specialize in the various headborne specialities. For example, the Oakley eyepro is brilliant. Troops love brand names and Oakley is a favorite. If they’re working with Gentex, use more than an Ops-Core suspension and chinstrap. They have been providing helmets to SOCOM for decades now for a reason and Soldiers want what the cool kids got.

Build an innovative helmet, that actually offers improvements over what is currently available and customers will come. The same goes for the compute armor concept.

I can’t wait to see that.

Posted in AUSA, C5ISR, Helmets | 28 Comments »

AUSA 25 – RIVET Soldier Borne Mission Command HUD

Tuesday, October 21st, 2025

RIVET exhibited their Heads Up Display technology for the US Army’s Soldier Borne Mission Command program in the Wilcox Industries booth.

Through integration with WILCOX’s MANTIS mounting solution, the RIVET HUD becomes part of the FUSION CLAW-compatible system.

FUSION CLAW is a consortium of partners who have come together to provide the Army with an advanced headborne system to the US Army which is based in the issue IHPS helmet and provides integrated power and data.

Mounted to the front of the helmet is the sensor suite which contains an IR camera in the center and two CMOS low light color cameras on either side to offer binocular vision. It can be worn down in front of the eyes to put the cameras where the eyes are as seen here or up for observation. Either way, the data can be pushed to the eyewear.

What I really like about this option is that the key to viewing the Augmented Reality information is the RIVET Eyewear and those can be used with the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B), which is the current fused NVG/IR system worn by the Infantry and SOF.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, C5ISR, Helmets | 10 Comments »

AUSA 25 – Galvion Update

Monday, October 20th, 2025

First off, Galvion caught us up on their new Caiman UL (Ultra-Light). Available in five sizes, it incorporates the latest version of their APEX liner system.

It incorporates their new proprietary low-profile 3-hole shroud which signals a move away from the Wilcox shroud they’ve been using. It incorporates ballistic mounting hardware and uses rubber bumpers for rattle prevention and a more stable platform for NVGs. You’ll notice a slight color difference in the center portion of the shroud pictured above. That is an interchangeable metal plate to accommodate a variety of NVG and future headborne accessories. The new Galvion shroud is also featured on their SAR helmet.

They also gave us a peek at what the future holds in store for their Cortex ecosystem which integrates headborne technologies from disparate manufacturers into a usable system with Tactical Awareness Kit interface to get your head in the fight and out of ATAK. Data collected by various headborne sensors and indicated on the ATAK screen is routed as Augmented Reality date on an eyepiece or full heads up display visor which is not fed data via the Cortex system but also power, just like everything else mounted to the head, including lights and strobes. Cortex remains a plug and play system, integrating new peripherals as they are added to the ecosystem by the user.

The current state of the system is seen above while below we get a glimpse of what we alluded to when we wrote about the system during our SOF Week coverage.

While the helmet seen remains a concept prototype it gives us an idea of how all of the cabling and connections will become streamlined in future iterations of the technology.

We’ll continue to update you on new systems as Galvion rolls them out. In particular, we’ll be telling you about a new charging system they’ve developed with an industry partner to wirelessly charge drones once they’ve landed.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Helmets, TAK | 1 Comment »

Gentex and Anduril Advance Partnership to Deliver AI-Driven EagleEye System

Monday, October 13th, 2025

CARBONDALE, PA, October 13, 2025 – Gentex Corporation, a global leader in integrated helmet systems and communications solutions, is proud to announce the advancement of its partnership with Anduril Industries in the development of EagleEye, a next-generation, AI-enabled integrated family of warfighter systems designed to deliver mission command, enhanced situational awareness, and increased survivability directly into the warfighter’s headborne system.

EagleEye builds on the foundation laid by the U.S. Army’s Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) program, through which Gentex provides advanced helmet and communications integration to support the Army’s mixed-reality command architecture. Representing the next evolution in headborne systems, EagleEye embeds command, control, and AI-driven situational awareness directly within the helmet platform, transforming the protective system into a fully networked node of mission command.

“The SBMC program established the framework for digital mission command by connecting the soldier to the tactical network,” said L.P. Frieder III, President & CEO, Gentex Corporation. “EagleEye expands on that vision by integrating command, control, and AI-driven situational awareness directly into the protective system. The platform is a natural extension of our mission to keep soldiers protected, connected, and fully mission-ready in today’s complex battlespace.”

With decades of experience designing and manufacturing trusted headborne systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied forces worldwide, Gentex delivers integrated helmet and communications solutions fielded across multiple U.S. Army and Air Force programs. These systems are engineered to integrate seamlessly with current and emerging platforms, including next-generation Army helmet families.

As part of the EagleEye program, Gentex will contribute the advanced head protection and communications architecture that forms the foundation for the system’s modular mixed-reality platform. The partnership merges Gentex’s expertise in integrated protection, communications, and optical technologies with Anduril’s advanced mission command software, heads-up display (HUD) technologies, and distributed sensing capabilities. Together, these capabilities transform the helmet into an intelligent node of the mission network, reducing weight and cognitive load while enhancing survivability and decision-making for the modern warfighter.

Gentex’s contributions to both SBMC and EagleEye underscore its central role in advancing fully integrated soldier systems. While SBMC established the digital and software backbone of mission command, EagleEye extends that ecosystem by embedding command and control (C2) capability and digital vision technologies directly into the warfighter’s protective gear, effectively bringing the network to the edge and empowering the individual operator.

Gentex will highlight its involvement in the EagleEye program and its broader soldier modernization initiatives during the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Visit Gentex Corporation at Booth 8219.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Helmets, Press Release | Comments Off on Gentex and Anduril Advance Partnership to Deliver AI-Driven EagleEye System

Galvion introduces Batlskin Caiman Ultra-Light Helmet at AUSA 2025

Friday, October 10th, 2025

Galvion, a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, unveils the latest addition to its flagship Caiman® suite of head systems, the new Caiman® UL (Ultra-Light). The Caiman® UL builds on the phenomenal success of the Caiman helmet series, which has been adopted by some of the world’s most demanding military and tactical teams. The new helmet, along with Galvion’s wider range of head systems and power and data solutions will be on display at booth #643 at AUSA 2025 in Washington, D.C.

The Caiman UL system was specifically designed for elite special operations operators who demand an ultra-lightweight next-generation solution that minimizes weight and bulk, while offering maximum protection and performance. Offering all of the performance of the Caiman® TL (Tactical Light) in a lighter weight, the UL comes in five (5) sizes, ensuring that operators are wearing the lightest, most comfortable, and most stable helmet possible.

The new Caiman also features additional updates, including Galvion’s 3-hole shroud, which uses ballistic mounting hardware and offers excellent stability for thermal and night vision devices. The low-profile shroud uses rubber bumpers for rattle prevention and has multiple integrated anchor points for secure bungee storage and paracord pass-through. It also features an interchangeable metal shroud plate to accommodate a variety of NVG and future headborne accessories. The Caiman UL uses Galvion’s best-in-class APEX liner system with a redesigned harness. With over 7 years of end-user feedback incorporated into iterative design updates, the latest harness features its toughest camlocks yet for improved strap tension, and stronger anchor system to withstand operational stress. A recontoured and wider chin cup results in a more natural, secure and stable fit, and a surface-mounted buckle allows easier donning and doffing while wearing. As a result, the Caiman UL benefits from the most robust APEX system ever, optimized for fit, comfort and stability, particularly under Night Vision and VAS.

Currently in trials with Special Operations customers, the Caiman UL is available for contract, with expected commercial availability in 2026.

Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “Our Caiman head systems are recognized around the world as the most comfortable performance helmet out there. We developed the system over a number of years in conjunction with Special Operations teams, but in recent years, we have seen our flagship Caiman TL adopted by conventional forces in far greater quantities, across multiple NATO countries.” He added: “The Caiman UL pushes the boundaries for elite teams where literally every ounce counts. It gives them the performance they need and the comfort that, candidly, they didn’t know that they could expect, in the lightest weight available. Our Caiman® UL really is the best, for the best.”

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Helmets, Press Release | 1 Comment »

WILCOX and RIVET Unveil Integrated Soldier Systems for the US Army’s Next-Gen SBMC Program at AUSA 2025

Wednesday, October 8th, 2025

RIVET to demonstrate its next-generation heads-up display (HUD) integrated into the WILCOX FUSION CLAW™ ecosystem at Booth #3607

NEWINGTON, NH, October 8th, 2025 – WILCOX INDUSTRIES, a global leader in mission-critical integrated headborne and combat systems, is proud to announce its partnership with RIVET INDUSTRIES, a defense technology innovator, at the upcoming AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, DC, taking place October 13–15, 2025. RIVET will be exhibiting its advanced HUD technology at WILCOX’s Booth, showcasing how its integrated solution supports the U.S. Army’s evolving Soldier as a System vision.

Designed for the Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) program, RIVET’s rugged, glasses-based HUD fuses data from Soldiers, sensors, and mission systems into a single operational picture, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making in any environment, day or night.

Through integration with WILCOX’s MANTIS™ mounting solution, the RIVET HUD becomes part of the FUSION CLAW-compatible system, seamlessly connecting individual warfighters to squad and command networks. This integrated approach supports maneuvering, targeting, and real-time data sharing, aligning with the Army’s focus on digital transformation and network-centric warfare, while managing the available power worn by the Soldier.

“This partnership embodies the next generation of battlefield technology,” said Jim Teetzel, CEO of WILCOX. “By integrating RIVET’s HUD with our FUSION CLAW™ platform, we’re delivering scalable, interoperable solutions that directly support the Soldier as a System vision and empower the modern warfighter.”

“The Army’s SBMC program is about creating a connected, informed, adaptable, and most importantly, more lethal Soldier,” said Dave Marra, CEO of RIVET. “By partnering with WILCOX, we’re accelerating that vision, bridging sensors, power, and data into a single, Soldier-ready capability.”

Attendees at AUSA 2025 will have the opportunity to engage directly with both WILCOX and RIVET teams and experience an interactive feature demonstration of the FUSION CLAW with RIVET’s HUD system.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Helmets, Optics, Power, Press Release | 4 Comments »

Raptor Tactical – Sentinel Inside Helmet Skullcrusher System

Monday, October 6th, 2025

Raptor Tactical created their Sentinel Inside Helmet Skullcrusher System as a modular component of a helmet system so that the user can shed the OPS-CORE ballistic shell when not needed but retain use of night vision devices.

The system allows for mounting any night vision device, cable management, counterweight pouch, or battery pack. It is compatible with the Wilcox lanyard and features a one-size-fits-all design, accommodating helmet sizes from Small to X-Large.

Conversion takes approximately 10 minutes to transform your existing ballistic OPS-CORE helmet into a fully functional system. An OPS-CORE chinstrap system is required for proper installation.

raptortactical.com/sentinel-inside-helmet-skullcrusher-system

Note: Helmet, chin straps, night vision devices, and other attached accessories are not included.

Posted in Advertiser, Helmets, Optics | 4 Comments »