LIFT Airborne Technologies Awarded Landmark U.S. Air Force Contract with $83.4 Million Ceiling for AV2.2 Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet
10-year contract supporting up to 16,000 helmet systems establishes LIFT as the new technology leader in military aviation helmet systems, setting a new standard for aircrew protection, performance, and next-generation technology integration.
CARSON CITY, NV — November 6, 2026 — LIFT Airborne Technologies (LIFT), a U.S.-based innovator in advanced aviation protective equipment, today announced that it has been awarded a landmark 10-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the United States Air Force (USAF) for its AV2.2 Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet (NGFWH) system.
With a maximum contract ceiling of $83.4 million and an anticipated procurement scope of up to 16,000 helmet systems, the award represents a defining milestone for LIFT and one of the company’s most significant achievements to date. The selection signals a new era in military aviation helmet technology, positioning LIFT at the forefront of the industry and establishing a new benchmark for the protection, performance, and innovation today’s warfighter deserves. Awarded through the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, the contract encompasses delta development, qualification, production, and fielding of next-generation fixed-wing helmets for various U.S. Air Force mission defense aircraft. The award resulted from a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III follow-on acquisition, reflecting the progression of LIFT’s innovative helmet technology into a major defense procurement program.
“This contract award represents a transformational milestone for LIFT Airborne Technologies and validates our vision of bringing a new generation of innovation to military aviation,” said Guido Rietdyk, Chief Executive Officer of LIFT Airborne Technologies. “We entered this market with a clear objective: to challenge the status quo and develop a helmet system that delivers meaningful advancements in protection, performance, and adaptability. Being selected by the United States Air Force is a tremendous honor and reflects the dedication of our team to engineering products that meet the demanding requirements of today’s military aircrew. This award signals a changing of the guard in military aviation helmet technology, with LIFT establishing a new standard for innovation, protection, and performance.”
Redefining Performance and Protection for the Modern Warfighter
At the center of the contract award is LIFT’s AV2.2 helmet system, developed to address the evolving operational requirements of modern fixed-wing military aviation.
The AV2.2 distinguishes itself through advanced engineering, optimized mass properties, enhanced ventilation, superior impact protection, and a modular architecture designed to accommodate emerging mission technologies.
Most notably, LIFT reports that the AV2.2 is the first and only helmet system in the world to successfully pass the rigorous USAF-specific 600 Knots Equivalent Airspeed (KEAS) sled-test specification and requirements. This achievement distinguishes the AV2.2 from helmet systems that may have completed other 600 KEAS testing protocols but have not demonstrated compliance with the same demanding USAF-specific test requirements.
This achievement, combined with the system’s lightweight construction and optimized weight distribution, represents a significant advancement in aviation helmet technology.
The AV2.2’s key performance advantages include:
- USAF-Specific 600 KEAS Sled-Test Performance: LIFT reports that the AV2.2 is the only helmet system worldwide to successfully pass the rigorous USAF-specific 600 KEAS sled-test specification and requirements, establishing a new benchmark for high-speed protective performance.
- Superior Mass Properties: Optimized helmet weight, balance, and center of gravity designed to reduce physical strain and support aircrew endurance during demanding flight operations.
- Advanced Impact Protection: Engineered protective technologies and energy attenuation capabilities designed to enhance aircrew safety.
- Enhanced Ventilation: An advanced ventilation approach designed to improve airflow, thermal comfort, and wearability during extended missions.
- Next-Generation Modularity: A highly adaptable architecture engineered to support evolving operational requirements and the integration of future helmet-mounted display (HMD) technologies.
- Mission-Focused Integration: Designed to accommodate applicable night vision, communications, oxygen, and mission-specific equipment.
Together, these capabilities establish the AV2.2 as a new standard in military aviation protective technology, designed to address both the immediate needs of military aircrew and the technological demands of future aviation operations.
A New Standard in Military Aviation Helmet Technology
For decades, military aviation helmet systems have faced the challenge of balancing protection, weight, comfort, and the integration of increasingly sophisticated mission equipment.
As helmet-mounted displays, night vision systems, and advanced communications technologies continue to evolve, these competing demands have become increasingly significant.
LIFT developed the AV2.2 to address these challenges through an integrated approach to protection, ergonomics, and modular system architecture.
“The AV2.2 represents a fundamental advancement in how we approach military aviation helmet design,” said Todd Lentz, Chief Revenue Officer of LIFT Airborne Technologies. “Our focus has never been simply to build another helmet. It has been to deliver a superior system that addresses the real-world challenges facing today’s warfighter. From being the first and only helmet system to successfully pass the rigorous USAF-specific 600 KEAS sled-test requirements to delivering exceptional mass properties, ventilation, impact protection, and modularity, the AV2.2 demonstrates what is possible when innovation and operational performance drive product development. We are not entering this market to follow established standards. We are here to redefine them, setting a new benchmark for military aviation helmets and delivering the technology today’s global warfighter deserves.”
From Small Business Innovation to Major USAF Contract Award
The award represents a significant achievement in LIFT’s continued development as an American defense technology manufacturer.
Originating from a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III follow-on acquisition, the contract demonstrates the transition of innovative technology development into a long-term procurement and fielding program supporting U.S. Air Force operational requirements.
The contract provides for delta development, qualification, production, and fielding of the AV2.2 helmet system, establishing a framework to advance the technology through the necessary program milestones and into operational use.
At the time of award, the Air Force obligated $4,095,959 in fiscal year 2026 research, development, test, and evaluation funding, supporting the program’s initial contracted activities.
The contract has an anticipated completion date of October 30, 2036, providing a long-term framework for continued development, production, and fielding of next-generation aircrew protective equipment.
The contract’s IDIQ structure enables the USAF to issue orders in accordance with its evolving requirements, up to the established $83.4 million ceiling.
Strengthening the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
Work under the contract will be performed in Carson City, Nevada, reinforcing LIFT’s investment in American engineering, advanced manufacturing, and domestic defense capabilities.
The award represents an important opportunity for LIFT to expand its manufacturing capabilities, strengthen its position within the U.S. defense industrial base, and support the modernization of military aviation protective equipment.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, serves as the contracting activity under contract number FA8606-27-D-B002.
By advancing innovative aviation protective technologies through domestic development and manufacturing, LIFT continues to demonstrate the important role that American businesses play in delivering next-generation solutions to the U.S. military.
Positioning LIFT as the New Standard in Global Military Aviation
The USAF award represents more than a major domestic contract. It signals a fundamental shift in the military aviation helmet industry, with LIFT emerging as a technology leader challenging legacy approaches and establishing a new standard for advanced aircrew protection.
As military organizations worldwide modernize their aviation fleets and increasingly prioritize aircrew survivability, operational endurance, and advanced technology integration, LIFT believes the AV2.2 represents the next evolution of military aviation helmet technology.
The system’s combination of high-speed protection, advanced ergonomics, modularity, and future HMD compatibility establishes a new benchmark for addressing the evolving requirements of U.S. and allied military aviation communities.
“This is an important chapter in LIFT’s evolution, but it is only the beginning,” added Rietdyk. “We are building a company focused on advancing the standard of protection and performance for military aircrew worldwide. Our selection by the United States Air Force reinforces our belief that innovation, technical excellence, and a relentless focus on the warfighter are reshaping the competitive landscape of military aviation. The industry has relied on legacy solutions for decades. LIFT is defining what comes next.”
With this landmark contract award, LIFT Airborne Technologies enters a new phase of growth, reinforcing its position as an innovative American manufacturer and a new technology leader setting the standard for the future of global military aviation.
About the AV2.2 Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet
The LIFT AV2.2 is an advanced military fixed-wing aviation helmet system engineered to deliver exceptional protection, optimized mass properties, enhanced ventilation, and next-generation modularity.
Designed to address the evolving requirements of modern military aircrew, the AV2.2 combines advanced composite construction, ergonomic engineering, and an adaptable architecture intended to support integration with current and future helmet-mounted display technologies.
LIFT reports that the AV2.2 is the first and only helmet system worldwide to successfully pass the rigorous USAF-specific 600 KEAS sled-test specification and requirements, representing a significant achievement in high-speed helmet performance.
With a focus on aircrew protection, comfort, and mission adaptability, the AV2.2 is designed to establish a new standard for the demanding operational environments of modern military aviation.
www.liftairborne.com
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