Galvion, a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, is celebrating the success of its Batlskin® head systems across NATO and allied nations with over 1.25 million helmets having been ordered in the last 10 years. Within that number, to date, over 150,000 Caiman® helmets have been shipped under the long-term NATO framework contract, establishing its flagship Caiman® helmet as the head system of choice for key European NATO members, and reinforcing Galvion’s position as a trusted partner in the delivery of modern, scalable protective headgear. This announcement comes in advance MSPO taking place in Poland, 2-5 September (booth 1-D02) and DSEI taking place in London, 9-12 September (booth N2-420).

This achievement reflects ongoing global demand for Galvion’s integrated helmet systems and adds to a series of contract successes. Notable recent awards include the U.S. Marine Corps IntegratedHelmet System (IHS) contract, built on Galvion’s Hellbender™ platform, follow-on orders for the Caiman helmet under Canada’s DICE program, and a federal agency contract for the Hellbender FE variant. As part of Galvion’s long-term NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework agreement, over 150,000 Caiman helmets have been shipped to Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Poland. Galvion continues to fulfill orders under this framework, with additional orders anticipated before the end of the year. The company also supports ongoing programs for military and security forces in the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and multiple Middle Eastern countries, among others. Orders from new, currently undisclosed customers are also underway.

To support both immediate delivery and long-term sustainment, Galvion’s European production hub in Gda?sk, Poland has been fully operational since April 2025. The facility serves as a key node in Galvion’s regional strategy, delivering new head systems and supporting ongoing servicing, upgrades, and lifecycle sustainment for fielded equipment across the region. North American production remains centered at Galvion’s Vermont manufacturing facility, ensuring continued responsiveness to domestic program requirements.

All of Galvion’s head systems are engineered for seamless integration with modern mission equipment, including night vision devices, communications headsets, and wearable power and data solutions. Earlier this year, Galvion introduced Cortex™, a new category of modular, helmet-mounted computing and data networking systems that will offer advanced capability upgrades for both the Caiman and Hellbender platforms. The launch of Cortex reflects Galvion’s commitment to delivering future-ready technologies that evolve alongside user needs and operational environments.

Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “This milestone reflects the depth of trust that global defence and security customers have placed in our Batlskin head systems and our team. With over 1.25 million helmets ordered in the past decade alone, significant recent wins and continuing key programs, we are incredibly excited about the future. Our success is a testament to focused design approach, disciplined execution, and collaborative relationships. It reinforces Galvion’s position as a leader in head systems and speaks to the reliability, agility, and future-forward vision we bring to every program.” He added: “With regional production now in place and our platforms evolving through technologies like Cortex, we’re well positioned to continue delivering advanced, scalable solutions that meet both today’s operational demands and tomorrow’s modernization goals.”

New modular helmet accessory delivers customizable ballistic protection for the back of the head and neck, inspired by centuries of armor innovation and ideal for today’s riot control scenarios.

Denison, TX. (August 2025) – Adept Armor, pioneers in next-gen protective solutions, has announced the launch of its newest innovation: the NovaSteel Helmet Tail. This innovative, modular, and articulating ballistic attachment is engineered to provide scalable protection to one of the most critically exposed areas on the modern battlefield: the rear head, neck, and cervical regions.

Though distinctly modern in construction and performance, the Helmet Tail draws inspiration from centuries-old battlefield armor. Cultures across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East independently arrived at similar forms: segmented, articulated “tails” affixed to helmets to protect the vulnerable nape and upper neck. These were famously seen in the 16th and 17th-century European designs like the zischagge and lobster tail pot, worn by soldiers in the final era of traditional full-armor warfare.

“We’re not introducing a new concept; we’re reintroducing a historically effective one,” said Jake Ganor, CEO of Adept Armor. “The segmented tail has appeared again and again throughout armor history because it works. We’ve modernized the concept using today’s materials and threat data to make it relevant again for contemporary conflicts.”

This proven design principle is reimagined for modern warfare in the form of a modular armor system. The NovaSteel Helmet Tail consists of three interlocking ballistic segments, each of which articulates independently to maintain full coverage while allowing unrestricted movement. Operators can configure the Tail by attaching one, two, or all three panels, depending on mission requirements, terrain, and comfort or weight requirements. It mounts rapidly and securely to standard retention points on both high-cut NovaSteel helmets and ACH-style platforms; no additional hardware or helmet modifications are required.

The motivation for the Helmet Tail is grounded in combat data. While modern combat helmets offer excellent frontal coverage, the rear head and neck remain disproportionately vulnerable, especially in today’s threat environment, where fragmentation from explosives is the dominant cause of battlefield injury. Studies from recent U.S. Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan indicate that up to 39 percent of all combat-related trauma involves the head and neck, with a growing percentage of wounds occurring at the rear, where explosive fragments often bypass existing armor systems.

The NovaSteel Helmet Tail directly addresses this gap. Rated to stop 124-grain 9mm FMJ rounds at velocities exceeding 1400 fps (V0), it delivers ballistic performance that meets or exceeds ACH Gen II and VPAM-3 criteria, even in high-temperature conditions above 168°F. Backface deformation is minimized, edge-impact resilience is exceptional, and the rigid structure avoids the sagging, folding, and slipping common to traditional fabric-based neck protectors. It also serves as a natural counterweight to front-mounted devices, improving helmet balance.

Designed for tactical and law enforcement professionals alike, the Helmet Tail has particular application in riot control settings, where officers are frequently exposed to blunt-force trauma, thrown projectiles, and melee threats from above and behind. Historical precedents show that the lobster-tail nape armor was favored in exactly these types of engagements. Similarly, the NovaSteel Helmet Tail provides riot officers with deflective, rigid protection that effectively absorbs and deflects impacts against bricks, bottles, batons, and improvised weapons, all while maintaining full mobility, visibility, and compatibility with communication systems, eyewear, and other helmet-mounted gear.

The NovaSteel Helmet Tail is available now for $198 through Adept Armor and authorized dealers. It is a meaningful, evidence-based restoration of a historically effective armor concept, realized with the precision of modern engineering and validated by the evolving needs of contemporary combat and law enforcement environments.

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