Galvion Launches Smart Head System Integration Platform for Special Forces at SOF Week 2025.

At SOF Week 2025, taking place in Tampa, Florida, United States, from May 5 to 7, 2025, the global defense and special operations community gathers to showcase the most advanced technologies shaping the future of modern warfare. At the heart of this year’s event, Galvion launches its groundbreaking CORTEX™ smart head system integration platform, setting a new standard for tactical headgear. Revealed at Booth #349, the CORTEX platform represents a bold leap forward in operational integration, merging cutting-edge hardware and intelligent software to equip Warfighters with real-time data access, enhanced situational awareness, and mission-adaptable capabilities—all through a seamlessly integrated headborne system.
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The new CORTEX™ platform by Galvion transforms combat helmets into intelligent, connected mission systems for Special Operations Forces. (Picture source: Galvion with editing of Army Recognition Group)

The newly unveiled CORTEX system is not just an upgrade—it’s a complete transformation of the combat helmet into a high-performance edge computing node. Designed to bring processing power, data connectivity, and energy management directly to the soldier’s head, CORTEX enables frontline operators to make faster, more informed decisions in the heat of battle. Built around a powerful compute module with an internal battery and a custom Android-based operating system, the platform integrates directly into Galvion’s flagship Caiman® helmet, turning it into a smart hub for modern battlefield needs.

Every element of the CORTEX platform has been engineered with modularity and human-centered design in mind. Its architecture includes an integrated accessory network for synchronized power and data management, and it supports multiple communications protocols—including USB, ISW, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi—to ensure full system interoperability. The system also features a sensor and emitter pod with an open-source interface, allowing for seamless integration of third-party technologies such as sensors, smart optics, and other mission-critical devices.

Among its most distinctive features is a low-profile, auto-detecting VAS mount, enabling smooth integration with night vision devices and heads-up displays (HUDs), while supporting software-enabled augmented reality (AR) overlays. A tactile 4-key controller is built directly into the helmet for intuitive navigation and system interaction, enabling operators to control functions rapidly without breaking visual contact with the environment.

One of the most game-changing aspects of CORTEX is the integration of Galvion’s proprietary AlertCentr™ application, which provides direct, tactile access to ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit) functionality. This feature allows Warfighters to view mission data and execute ATAK commands without needing to reach for or visually engage with their End User Device (EUD), significantly reducing cognitive load and improving responsiveness in dynamic situations.

The CORTEX system has been developed over several years in close collaboration with Tier 1 special operations units, incorporating real-world feedback and rigorous testing. Customized versions of the system—with tailored software and hardware—have already been delivered to select international customers for operational trials. Designed as a one-size-fits-all solution, CORTEX features adjustable components to accommodate a wide range of helmet sizes and is compatible not only with Galvion’s Caiman® and Hellbender™ platforms but also with selected non-Galvion head systems.

With the debut of CORTEX at SOF Week 2025, Galvion firmly positions itself at the forefront of soldier system integration, redefining the role of the combat helmet in the digital battlespace. No longer a passive piece of protection, the helmet becomes a central node of operational intelligence, capable of supporting enhanced decision-making, communications, and situational awareness—all without compromising mobility or comfort. As elite units across the world seek smarter, more adaptive gear, Galvion’s CORTEX offers a scalable and future-ready solution tailored to the realities of high-tempo, tech-driven combat operations.