News & Blog

9th September 2025, Melksham, UK: At DSEI 2025 Avon Protection will showcase cutting-edge technologies designed to give soldiers more organic protection to survive to fight in tomorrow’s CBRN threat environments.   

New innovations on display on the Avon Protection stand include the new MITR-PG1 Powered Goggle, which is designed to be worn as a default ocular protective goggle to protect the user against low-mid level CBRN threats and particulate hazards, including CS/CN/OC threats. The low-profile, low-burden MITR-PG1 features an integrated filter and blower system which constantly purges the air within the goggle. This ensures that the wearer's eyes remain constantly protected against particulate hazards, and the visor remains clear from fogging even in extreme temperatures. It can be worn alone, or as part of an integrated full-face protective solution with the MITR-M1 Half Mask. 

Also on display is a Short Duration Combination System Powered Air Purifying Respirator (CS-PAPR) concept. The CS-PAPR SD allows the user to switch easily between Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and PAPR modes for different mission profiles, giving them the ability to escape sudden high-threat situations when alerted to toxins or hazards in the environment. The shorter duration system offers greater modularity and flexibility for users where full-sized SCBAs cannot be carried, either due to operating in enclosed spaces or to minimise the weight burden on operators going into unknown environments who may require breathing protection for emergency egress. 

A new Voice Projection Unit is also being launched and shown at DSEI for the first time. The CVPU integrates seamlessly with all Avon Protection 50/53/54 series respirators, enabling the operator’s voice to be amplified without compromising protection. It extends clear, intelligible speech to nearby personnel while maintaining full communications range and operational effectiveness in dynamic combat environments. Digital Voice Processing (DVP) enhances voice clarity and supresses external sounds in high noise, ensuring intelligible communication and improved situational awareness during critical operations. 

“These new technologies reflect the fact that CBRN threats are increasingly permeating the battlefield, which means the need for CBRN protective gear is no longer confined to specialist operators – a shift we see continuing in the coming years and decades,” Steve Elwell, President, Avon Protection, said. “In addition to continuing to provide our advanced respirators for those operating in the most demanding environments, we want to make more CBRN protection solutions available to the wider personnel base for ‘just in case’ situations, without over-burdening them with more heavy and bulky equipment.” 

“For this reason, all our developments focus on maximising design elements such as being low profile, low burden, and able to integrate easily with existing body-worn gear and equipment.”  

In the underwater domain, Avon Protection is presenting a series of concept demonstrators that explore future capabilities in combat diving and mission support. One of the highlights is the Shallow Water Combat Rebreather, a concept demonstrator developed in collaboration with Aion. This initiative brings together leaders in underwater technology to explore how a core rebreather system could integrate with modular electronics and mission-ready accessories. These include a custom harness buoyancy compensator (BC) and tactical components optimised for stealth, comfort, and operational efficiency in hostile environments.  

“With modular electronics options to enhance operational capability and safety, this compact, simple, and robust demonstrator system represents a step change in capability for combat and Very Shallow Water (VSW) diving profiles,” said Kevin Gurr, Director Underwater Systems at Avon Protection. “The demonstrator on display at DSEI is designed to capture current and future user needs, helping us and our customers shape the future of combat rebreather technology.” 

A new Diving Full Face Mask concept eliminates the need for a bite mouthpiece, significantly improving diver-to-diver and diver-to-surface C2 communications during training missions, and enhances diver comfort during extended mission profiles. A new Diver Head-Up Display (HUD) concept with optical waveguide technology provides real-time operational data within the diver’s field of view. Developed with the potential to replace wrist-worn diving computers and offering a significant advancement over current LED traffic light HUD systems, it provides a see-through capability while maintaining full visibility. Designed to meet customer requirements for displaying larger data packages, it offers additional benefits for divers using propulsion systems, sonar navigation, or those unable to monitor wrist devices easily. 

“Today’s special forces dive teams face increasingly complex missions and extended dive profiles,” added Kevin Gurr. “These technology concepts demonstrate how the MCM100 Multi-Role Rebreather system could evolve to meet next-level requirements for excellence in demanding underwater environments.”