Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Avon Protection awarded US DoD ASPIRE HMI contracts

Defence

Avon Protection awarded US DoD ASPIRE HMI contracts

Avon Protection has been awarded three contracts by the US Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) ASPIRE HMI (Advanced System for Protection and Integrated Reduction of Encumbrances Hood/Mask Interface) programme, which is executed by the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND).

Image courtesy Avon Protection

The three contracts will cover the design and development of a solution to optimise integration between currently fielded M50 and M53A1 CBRN protective masks and CBRN protective garment hoods on a CBRN suit. Avon Protection will apply its extensive experience as a provider of CBRN protective systems to optimise integration of personal protective equipment.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Steve Elwell, President, Avon Protection, said: “The risk a customer faces when procuring protective equipment as individual systems from different suppliers is that there are potential integration issues at the points at which these different systems meet, no matter how advanced each individual system is.

“Our approach is to mitigate this risk by designing our equipment to integrate seamlessly together and it is this understanding of the importance of interface optimisation between systems that we will bring to our work on this contract.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

The DoD is a strategic partner for Avon Protection, with millions of Avon Protection M50/M51 and M53/M53A1 air purifying respirators (APRs) in use across all branches of the US military.

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
ALTEN opens office in Belfast

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ALTEN opens office in Belfast

14 April 2026

ALTEN has announced the opening of its newest UK office in Belfast, marking a significant strategic expansion into Northern Ireland.

Zelim’s ZOE becomes world’s first fully certified MOB system

Defence Security

Zelim’s ZOE becomes world’s first fully certified MOB system

14 April 2026

Edinburgh headquartered maritime safety and security specialist Zelim, today announced that its AI-enabled ZOE man-overboard detection (MOB) system has received official ISO 21195:2020 certification from independent classification body Lloyd’s Register, following successful completion of testing.

Norwegian Armed Forces upgrade simulation capabilities with OneArc’s VBS4

Defence

Norwegian Armed Forces upgrade simulation capabilities with OneArc’s VBS4

14 April 2026

Norwegian Armed Forces have selected an enterprise license upgrade to VBS 4, BAE Systems OneArc’s flagship virtual training and mission rehearsal environment.

Dstl trials AI-powered drones for rapid explosives detection

Defence

Dstl trials AI-powered drones for rapid explosives detection

13 April 2026

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has led a major trial on behalf of the British Army, using AI-powered drone technology to identify landmines and explosive ordnance, allowing bomb-disposal experts to conduct their mission faster through rapid detection.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Maritime Multi Link programme reaches Phase 2c milestone

Defence

Maritime Multi Link programme reaches Phase 2c milestone

13 April 2026

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), part of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, has reached a key milestone in the Maritime Multi Link (MML) programme, achieving the Equipment Delivery Date for Phase 2c, a significant step forward in how Royal Navy ships share critical battlefield information.

NAD fully established as Andy Start retires

Defence

NAD fully established as Andy Start retires

13 April 2026

The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group is marking a year since interim (Deputy) NAD Andy Start established it in March 2025 and who is now retiring after 37 years in defence.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner