Galvion, a worldwide manufacturer of head systems, energy and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, presents during SOF Week 2026 in Tampa, Florida, from May 18 to 21, at Stand No. 1739, its ongoing development of the Cortex architecture. The focus, according to the provider, is the introduction of the Cortex Evo system.
Cortex was introduced for the first time at SOF Week 2025 as a new category of intelligent, head-worn systems and established a framework for the integration of power supply, data transmission, and data processing at the user level. At SOF Week 2026, Galvion expands this foundation with an even more deeply integrated approach that brings together several functional areas within a single head-worn architecture.
Cortex Evo Helmet System
Cortex Evo embeds power distribution, data connectivity and data processing directly into the helmet structure. This approach reduces reliance on externally mounted components and enables a more seamless interaction between sensors, visual systems, and communications solutions. The system architecture combines a ballistic core, integrated power and data wiring, and a lightweight composite-helmet shell — a manifestation of a targeted integration approach.
It rethinks component design and the system architecture to preserve the ballistic helmet’s typical characteristics in terms of size, weight, and performance while simultaneously creating a compact, scalable foundation for future configurations across different platforms. The heart of the system is Galvion’s AlertCentr software, which enables the provisioning and management of mission-relevant data directly on the head-worn system.
AlertCentr Software
AlertCentr is integrated into TAK-based environments and supports configurable visual as well as audible signals, enabling users to access critical information and respond immediately without having to divert their attention to external add-on devices. The system showcased at SOF Week integrates several functional elements within the Cortex architecture, including:
- Visual expansion: TAK video transmission, sensor imagery, and navigation integrations
- Sensing and situational awareness: recognition and identification functions to enhance threat awareness
- Audio and communication: integration of digital headsets for configurable warnings and system interactions
- Power and data infrastructure: a unified architecture that enables scalable integration of subsystems
Galvion Partners
These capabilities are realized through an open-architecture approach that enables technologies developed by Galvion as well as third-party solutions to operate within a single system environment. As part of this growing ecosystem, Galvion continues to collaborate with selected industry partners who are aligned with the Cortex architecture.
Sentinel Photonics steuert fortschrittliche Fähigkeiten zur Erkennung von Laserbedrohungen bei; Adventure Lights liefert Signalisierungslösungen zur Freund-Feind-Erkennung sowie ergänzende Laserdetektion; Thermoteknix unterstützt die Integration optischer und fusionierter Bildgebungssysteme; und Distance Technologies trägt zu fortgeschrittenen visuellen Augmentierungslösungen bei, die die Weiterentwicklung von am Kopf getragenen Anzeige- und Visualisierungstechnologien vorantreiben. Diese Kooperationen spiegeln Galvions Ansatz wider, interoperable Lösungen auf Systemebene zu entwickeln, die sich gemeinsam mit den Anforderungen der Nutzer weiterentwickeln.
Platform Developed for Integration
Jonathan Blanshay, founder and Executive Chairman of Galvion, stated: “The protection of the soldier is the central driving force behind everything we do; yet the way we define protection has changed significantly over the last 20 years. We have moved far beyond mere passive protection: we have enhanced capability, integrated systems, and reduced the burden on the user to increase survivability and combat effectiveness. Cortex Evo is the strongest expression of this mindset to date. The system redefines what a helmet can do by uniting protection, power, data transmission, and computing on a platform specially developed for this purpose.”
Blanshay added: “The development for the digitized soldier requires modularity, scalability and upgradability—and Evo meets all three criteria. It benefits from years of intensive design work as well as extensive research and development programs—and not least from the experience of millions of helmets already in service. All the insights we have gained through close collaboration with our end users worldwide have been incorporated into the development of Cortex Evo. We are extremely excited to present the system to the public during SOF Week.”
