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Redefining Rotary Wing Protection: Gentex Launches Next Generation Helmet Platform at AAAA 2026

Tuesday, April 14th, 2026

At AAAA this week, Gentex Corporation will unveil its Next Generation Rotary Wing Helmet, a purpose-built solution engineered to elevate safety, adaptability, and mission performance for modern aircrew. Designed with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), the helmet provides a scalable platform that supports both current and future helmet-mounted display (HMD) technologies, ensuring long-term operational relevance as mission requirements evolve.

Built to meet the U.S. Army’s most stringent impact and protection standards, including 56/P (FNS/PD 96-18) and DOI specifications, the helmet delivers enhanced impact and debris resistance, in a lighter weight platform. Gentex’s LockDown® Liner System technology enables a secure, stable fit, while improvements in field of view, cable management, and overall system integration create a lighter, compact and more comfortable solution optimized for extended missions and demanding operational environments.

At the core of the system is an architecture that enables airframe- and mission-specific customization. Designed to be both upgradable and interchangeable, the helmet evolves alongside mission demands, supporting rapid integration of new technologies without compromising performance. This adaptability is further enhanced through close industry collaboration, allowing for tailored configurations that incorporate system-specific components and respond to the dynamic needs of operators.

By combining advanced safety features with scalable, future-ready design, Gentex continues to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving challenges of rotary wing operations. Stop by Booth 1052 in Nashville this week or sign up at www.gentexcorp.com to continue to learn more.

Posted in Advertiser, Aviation, Helmets, Press Release, Tradeshow | Comments Off on Redefining Rotary Wing Protection: Gentex Launches Next Generation Helmet Platform at AAAA 2026

USMC Awards Gentex Contract for Integrated Helmet Systems

Monday, April 13th, 2026

The Department of War made the following announcement on Friday, 10 April, 2026 at COB;

Gentex Corp., Simpson, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $128,484,849 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Integrated Helmet Systems. This contract provides for the procurement of Integrated Helmet Systems with associated components and accessories. The ordering period will be a maximum of five years and is expected to be completed in April 2031. Work will be performed in Simpson, Pennsylvania. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task/delivery orders as they are issued. The requirement was procured under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 4022(f) as a follow-on production agreement to the prototype agreement (M67854-20-9-1000). Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-26-D-5401).

I’d like to remind readers that Galvion was also issued a contract by the Marine Corps for this program last August for $131,396,296. Both contracts are Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (IDIQ).

This program has been underway for quite some time. To give you an idea, the photo was taken of the Gentex helmet in May of 2022.

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, Helmets, USMC | 4 Comments »

Headborne Systems – Modular Accessory Retention System (M.A.R.S.)

Friday, April 3rd, 2026

Headborne Systems’ Modular Accessory Retention System (M.A.R.S.) is a lightweight, low-profile solution designed to secure helmet-mounted accessories such as battery packs and night vision devices.

Developed in the Netherlands in collaboration with Flimmuur and produced by British Tactical in the UK, M.A.R.S. has been on the market for several years and continues to evolve through incremental updates. The latest laminate baseplate weighs just 3 grams (approx. 0.11 oz), keeping the system’s footprint minimal, while maintaining durability.

The system integrates with all ballistic and bump helmets and is available in MultiCam, Ranger Green, Wolf Grey, and Black. M.A.R.S. can be sourced via Geartown and Geardom, both shipping worldwide.

Posted in Guest Post, Helmets | Comments Off on Headborne Systems – Modular Accessory Retention System (M.A.R.S.)

Galvion Receives Batlskin Caiman Order for Another 29,000 Helmets, from the Canadian DND, Through NSPA

Thursday, March 5th, 2026

Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power and data management solutions, has received a new order from the Department of National Defence (DND) Canada for its flagship Batlskin Caiman® ballistic helmet systems. This latest order for an additional 29,000 helmets with two (2) helmet covers each, has been placed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract.

Galvion was awarded the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme contract in February 2023 for 2,100 helmets and 4,200 helmet covers. In July 2024, the DND exercised an option to order an additional 8,400 helmets and 16,800 helmet covers taking the total Canadian DICE order to 10,500 helmets and 21,000 covers, all successfully delivered. In July 2025 Galvion announced a third follow-on order, with delivery planned for early 2026. In total, the DICE contract orders total 15,000 helmets and over 30,000 covers. This latest order, for a further 29,000 this time through NPSA and outside of the original DICE programme contract, takes the total Caiman helmet systems ordered by the Canadian DND to over 44,000 helmets and over 100,000 covers.

Developed over a number of years with extensive SOF community collaboration and feedback and now fielded in the hundreds of thousands across multiple NATO countries, Galvion’s Caiman® helmet system delivers unmatched levels of weight and comfort, and is expressly designed to incorporate electronics, communications headsets, and other critical equipment needs, now and into the future. For this most recent NSPA order, Galvion will be supplying the DND with its NATO Caiman® helmet system, which features updated and robust rails, a breakaway harness and the latest improved version of its best-in-class APEX liner system. Ms Danielli, General and Cooperative Services Programme Manager, emphasized: “NSPA is proud to support the Canadian Armed Forces in delivering critical protective equipment to their troops. This procurement demonstrates the strength of our COMMIT partnership in providing nations with reliable and cost-effective solutions. Through the web-based platform of the NATO Logistics Stock Exchange (NLSE), NSPA accelerates procurement by consolidating national requirements and leveraging long-term framework contracts, enabling nations to translate urgent operational needs into timely, mission-relevant capabilities.”

Jonathan Blanshay, Executive Chairman at Galvion said: “We are exceedingly proud to receive yet another significant order from the Canadian DND taking the total to over 44,000 helmets in a four-year period, this time through the NSPA framework contract. Repeat orders like this demonstrate partner confidence and end-user satisfaction, both of which are core drivers for everything that we do at Galvion.” He added: “We continue to see significant increases in demand across all of our head system platforms, with the Caiman helmet seeing far and wide adoption beyond the SOF community, as evidenced by the continued receipt of orders from NATO countries through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract. For the Canadian DND to have adopted the NSPA model makes it very clear that the NSPA procurement route delivers advantages to NATO members on both sides of the Atlantic. Caiman, through NSPA, has now become the global head system of choice.”

Posted in Contracts, Helmets, International, NSPA, Press Release | Comments Off on Galvion Receives Batlskin Caiman Order for Another 29,000 Helmets, from the Canadian DND, Through NSPA

Enforce Tac 26 – Galvion

Wednesday, February 25th, 2026

Leaning into the Teutonic theme, Galvion is giving away this helmet during this year’s Enforce Tac.

Posted in Enforce Tac, Helmets | 1 Comment »

Mehler Protection Presents “Omega Jaw”: First Mandible Guard with AK47 Protection Meeting VPAM 6

Friday, February 20th, 2026

FULDA, GERMANY (19.02.2026)

With the “Omega Jaw” mandible guard, Mehler Protection is introducing a new generation of face and jaw protection specifically designed for threats from AK47 MSC projectiles in accordance with VPAM 6, while fully maintaining system compatibility with Mehler Protection’s ultra-lightweight high-cut helmets. “This development underlines our ambition to drive innovation in our industry. Our products are based on operational requirements and are designed to provide optimum protection and genuine reliability,” explains Dr Mario Amschlinger, CEO Mehler Systems.

Homogeneous head protection against rifle ammunition

With Omega Jaw, Mehler Protection is transferring its long-standing expertise in ballistic body armour to face and jawprotection. Whereas conventional helmet/face protection combinations generally provide only limited protection against handgun ammunition and basic fragmentation protection, the system achieves a maximum protection level against AK47 MSC projectiles at a velocity of 720 m/s (VPAM 6 level) with minimal frontal deformation. This closes a critical protection gap and, for the first time, enables logically coordinated, complementary face protection.

The ballistic high-cut helmet of the Omega series can be upgraded to protection level VPAM 6 by attaching ultra-lightweight plates made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). These ugradeable plates are an essential component of the holistic VPAM 6 protection architecture. In combination with the mandible guard, the reinforced helmet provides homogeneous all-round head protection.

“In line with the current trend towards enhanced protection for face and head areas, Omega Jaw is a real game changer,” say the mandible guard designers, Dr Christian Rödel and Marie Schmidt. “For the first time, operators have access to a face and jaw protection solution that provides protection against AK47 rounds, integrates seamlessly into our ultra-lightweight high-cut helmets and at the same time maintains compatibility with mission-critical accessories. This is a decisive step towards homogeneous head protection for highly critical operational environments.”

Seamless integration into high-cut helmets with no design modifications

Omega Jaw is attached to the high-cut helmet shell via a specially developed U-profile that locks onto the helmet rim. This ensures secure and rapid system integration without altering the basic helmet design. The three-piece plate structure deliberately incorporates overlaps both between the plates and at the helmet interface in order to minimise vulnerabilities and ensure the most continuous protective surface possible. Despite the extended protection area, Omega Jaw is engineered for full compatibility with common hearing protection and communication headsets such as Peltor systems and can be used in combination with the Mehler Protection helmet visor.

Modular textile and plate concept with tactical interfaces

The textile cover concept allows the integration of different protective plates, supporting scalable protection levels as well as future material upgrades. At the same time, the design offers valuable mounting options on Picatinny rails, enabling users to attach tactical equipment without compromising protection. The system can be quickly donned and doffed using hook-and-loop straps and is designed for compact stowage during transport or when not in use.

Posted in Armor, Helmets, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Mehler Protection Presents “Omega Jaw”: First Mandible Guard with AK47 Protection Meeting VPAM 6

Ops-Core Is Heading to Enforce Tac

Thursday, February 19th, 2026

Stop by to experience the complete product line including the FAST® helmet system, the global standard trusted by Global Special Operations Forces and Nation Police SWAT teams worldwide. Ops-Core’s fully integrated system seamlessly combines optics, respiratory protection, and AMP® communication headsets to deliver lightweight protection, enhanced situational awareness, and uncompromised performance.

Available through the NSPA contract, Ops-Core solutions simplify procurement and accelerate fielding for allied forces.

Visit Us in Booth 7-747 alongside our German partner IEA MIL-Optics GmbH in Nuremberg to see how we continue to define the future of integrated headborne capability!

Posted in Advertiser, Enforce Tac, Guest Post, Helmets | Comments Off on Ops-Core Is Heading to Enforce Tac

LIFT Aviation/LIFT Airborne Technologies are Unveiling the Next Generation of Rotary Wing Helmets for Military, Contractors, and Aviation Pilots

Thursday, February 19th, 2026

Carson City, NV – LIFT Aviation and LIFT Airborne Technologies proudly announce the launch of the AV3 Assault, a Next-Generation Rotary Wing Helmet, engineered for Department of War personnel, Military Contractors, and General Aviation helicopter pilots. Designed from the ground up for modern rotary wing operations, the AV3 Assault delivers a powerful combination of advanced protection, mission adaptability, and all-day comfort.

Designed for uncompromising performance, the ALSE/DOI-certified AV3 Assault features a lightweight carbon fiber shell paired with a next-generation EPS impact frame integrated with Koroyd® impact protection plates. This advanced construction delivers exceptional impact protection while enhancing airflow for sustained comfort in demanding operational environments. A Quick-Adjust Nape Fit System and two-piece DriFire® Airmesh Comfort Linerwork together to provide a secure, breathable, and moisture-wicking fit, with precise adjustability across a wide range of head sizes.

The AV3 Assault is engineered for mission versatility and advanced system integration, including:

Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatibility
Maxillofacial protective options
Configurable enhancement communication system (passive or active noise-canceling)
Accessory Rails enables fast attachment/detachment of tactical enhancing components/accessories
Integrated dual-visor system with multiple lens configurations for adaptable visual clarity

Optimized weight distribution and a refined center of gravity reduce neck fatigue without compromising protective performance, allowing pilots to stay focused during demanding rotary wing operations.

Whether operating in combat zones or executing the most demanding flight profiles,. the AV3 Assault sets a new standard for Rotary Wing Helmet protection, comfort, ventilation and performance. Meeting the evolving demands of today’s aviation professionals across military, contractor, and civilian applications.

The AV3 Assault will make its official debut at Verticon 2026.

www.liftairborne.com/av3-rotary-wing-helmet

Posted in Aviation, Helmets, Press Release | Comments Off on LIFT Aviation/LIFT Airborne Technologies are Unveiling the Next Generation of Rotary Wing Helmets for Military, Contractors, and Aviation Pilots