Galvion awarded Integrated Helmet System contract by US Marine Corps

Soldier system specialist Galvion has been awarded an Integrated Helmet System (IHS) contract by the US Marine Corps (USMC), the company announced on 12 August 2025.

The five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract from the Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has a maximum value of almost USD 131.4 million (EUR 112.9 million).

Galvion’s customised IHS solution, developed over multiple years under the scope of an other transaction agreement (OTA) with the MCSC to meet the unique operational requirements of the Marine Corps, is described by Galvion as “a functionally robust, USMC-mission-focused system that is optimised to meet all USMC technical requirements”.

The no-through hole, hi-cut helmet is a proprietary geometry (introduced commercially as the Hellbender platform earlier in 2025) that combines an Enhanced Combat Helmet front shape for ease of integration with existing accessories and a ridged-back design that provides structural stability.  It features the latest version of Galvion’s Apex lining system, which includes improvements incorporated as a direct result of marine feedback, resulting in a better-fitting, balanced and more stable helmet platform for Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggle (SBNVG) and Enhanced Clip-On Thermal Imager (ECOTI) mounting. Galvion’s EDG power management system integrates easily, offering scalable operational capability for marines. The helmet was designed to support single-size components (night vision goggle shroud, rails, harness, accessory straps) for ease of maintenance and supply logistics, with a clear upgrade and support path through its service life.

Galvion designed, built and tested prototypes demonstrating technical capabilities and integration with current USMC equipment, including communication devices and visual augmentation systems, and delivered over 1,000 systems across two configurations to meet the USMC’s trial and evaluation requirements:

• a ‘Block 0’ baseline system, with a helmet featuring a night vision device shroud with stabilisation bumpers, IHS rails with NVG clips and O2 attachments, NVG bungees, an external loop pattern, battery retention straps, the latest APEX liner system, and a customised helmet cover with cable management;
• a ‘Block 1’ integrated system, built off Block 0, with the addition of the EDG scalable power pack, single and dual cables to power SBNVGs and SBNVG/ECOTI combinations, and an integrated strobe, task light and optional hearing enhancement devices.

“This is an incredibly proud moment for the entire Galvion team,” Todd Stirtzinger, the Galvion CEO, was quoted as stating in a company press release.  “This programme has been a uniting force across our organisation and has driven us to innovate, integrate and collaborate faster and better as a team.  From the research and development done in our Warfighter Lab to design a more stable system, to the helmets produced in our Vermont facility, to the EDG power and data component coming out of our New Hampshire headquarters – this has been a true team effort.

“The United States Marine Corps are some of the world’s most demanding users, and our solution offers them a fully integrated helmet system that has been designed specifically to evolve with technology to support the marines’ advanced mission needs,” Stirtzinger added. “The development process for this system highlights the Marine Corps Systems Command’s commitment to working with industry to find the absolute best solution for Marines. We had such a high level of engagement with users throughout this process – through the multiple limited user evaluations and ballistic testing events organised by the MCSC and the dozen additional Galvion internal sessions that they supported. We incorporated feedback after every evaluation stage to ultimately deliver a system that has been designed by marines, for marines. We look forward to continuing this collaborative process as we outfit marines with our helmets and support their evolving needs for years to come.”