Racal Acoustics
Racal Acoustics, a product brand within Sweden's INVISIO Group, designs and manufactures advanced hearing protection and communication headsets for high-noise defense, public safety, and aviation environments. The company serves major NATO-aligned militaries including the US, British, Australian, and Canadian armies through direct enterprise sales and through-life support services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1911
- HeadquartersHarrow, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Racal Acoustics does
Racal Acoustics Limited, founded in 1911 and headquartered in Harrow, United Kingdom, is a product brand within Sweden-based INVISIO Group that designs, manufactures, sells, and supports audio ancillary and field communication equipment for high-noise tactical environments. The company specializes in advanced hearing protection and communication headsets (RA5100, RA4000, RA5001, RA315, RA108) that combine passive and active noise reduction with situational awareness capabilities. These products are purpose-built for defense applications including tracked vehicles (MBT, AFV), wheeled vehicles, dismounted infantry, aviation, maritime SOF, and parachute (HALO/HAHO) operations. The company operates within a broader INVISIO tactical communication ecosystem that includes control units, intercom systems, tactical hubs, and accessories.
The business model centers on direct enterprise sales to government defense agencies and public safety organizations, with a named customer base including the US Army, British Army, Australian Army, and Canadian Army. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of specialized headsets, control units and intercom systems, supplemented by professional services for custom integration, engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing. A growing Through-Life Support (TLS) service line provides multi-year lifecycle support from concept through disposal. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is presumed to be quote-based given the specialized nature of defense procurement. The company maintains ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications and operates from offices in the UK, USA, and via INVISIO's Copenhagen headquarters.
Racal Acoustics markets through INVISIO's corporate digital channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), defense industry trade shows, and direct enterprise sales motions. The company serves defense as its primary vertical with public safety (SWAT, bomb squads, negotiators, riot control) and aviation as secondary segments. Customer needs center on preventing noise-induced hearing damage while maintaining clear voice communication and situational awareness in combat, emergency response, and aviation environments.
Racal Acoustics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Racal Acoustics
- Legal name
- Racal Acoustics
- Website
- https://racalacoustics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1911
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Racal Acoustics, a product brand within Sweden's INVISIO Group, designs and manufactures advanced hearing protection and communication headsets for high-noise defense, public safety, and aviation environments. The company serves major NATO-aligned militaries including the US, British, Australian, and Canadian armies through direct enterprise sales and through-life support services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Racal Acoustics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tactical Communication & Hearing Protection Equipment
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (334310), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)
- SIC
- Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microphones, Headsets & Audio Input Devices (HDACAFAH)
Keywords
Where Racal Acoustics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Harrow
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Racal Acoustics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - Communication Headsets: Sale of advanced hearing protection and communication headsets including RA5100, RA4000, RA5001, RA315, and RA108 models. These are specialized tactical headsets for high-noise defense and public safety applications.
- Control Units and Intercom Systems: Sales of control units (V60 II, V50 II, V20 II, V10 II) and intercom systems for tactical communication integration.
- Professional Services and Custom Integration: Engineering, design, manufacturing, prototyping, and supply services for customized audio solutions. Product concept, design, prototyping, test, manufacture and verification are integral aspects of full product development and integration process.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Racal Acoustics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Racal Acoustics designs, manufactures, and supports advanced hearing protection and communication headsets (RA5100, RA4000, RA5001, RA315, RA108) for use in environments with constant high noise. The portfolio also includes control units, intercom systems, tactical hubs, and accessories, serving defense forces, rescue services, and aviation sectors with customized integration and through-life support.
Product overview
Racal Acoustics, part of the INVISIO Group, is a world-leading product brand with over 100 years of history specializing in advanced and robust hearing protection and communication headsets for environments with constant high noise. The portfolio consists of Racal Acoustics branded headsets (RA5100, RA4000, RA5001, RA315, RA108) designed for defense applications including tracked vehicles, wheeled vehicles, and aviation environments. Beyond the Racal Acoustics brand, the broader INVISIO product portfolio includes INVISIO branded headsets (T30, T7, X7, X5, M3s), control units (V60 II, V60 II ADP, V50 II, V20 II, V10 II), intercom systems (Intercom unit, Link, Loudspeaker, Switch, Control app, Volume Control), tactical hubs (H4, H6), and accessories. Racal Acoustics also offers comprehensive services including engineering, design, manufacturing, prototyping, supply, and Through-Life Support (TLS) solutions to support current and future audio ancillary needs. Customers primarily include defense forces (US Army, British Army, Australian Army, Canadian Army) as well as rescue services and aviation sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- RA5100 Headset Versatile headset designed for both in-vehicle and on-foot missions, providing hearing protection and communication capabilities in high-noise environments.
- RA4000 Headset Helmet-integrated headset providing ultimate hearing protection in high-noise environments for tactical operations.
- RA5001 Headset Headset featuring Active Noise Reduction (ANR), communication intelligibility, and situational awareness for operators in high-noise tactical environments.
- RA315 Headset Headset delivering reliable clear voice communication specifically designed for Main Battle Tank (MBT), Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV), and other tracked, high-noise vehicles.
- RA108 Headset Headset combining Passive and Active Noise Reduction technologies for excellent speech intelligibility and hearing protection in demanding operational environments.
- INVISIO V60 II Control Unit Advanced control unit for managing communication systems and audio settings in tactical operations.
- INVISIO V60 II ADP Control Unit Advanced Digital Processing control unit variant for enhanced audio management and system integration.
- INVISIO V50 II Control Unit Mid-range control unit for tactical communication system management.
- INVISIO V20 II Control Unit Compact control unit for essential communication control in tactical environments.
- INVISIO V10 II Control Unit Entry-level control unit for basic tactical communication system requirements.
- INVISIO Intercom Unit Central intercom system unit enabling multi-user communication within vehicles and tactical formations.
- INVISIO Link™ Intercom linking system for connecting multiple communication devices and users across tactical networks.
- INVISIO Intercom Loudspeaker Loudspeaker component for intercom system audio output in vehicle and mounted applications.
- INVISIO Intercom Switch Switch device for controlling intercom system functions and audio routing.
- INVISIO H4 Tactical Hub Tactical hub for integrating multiple communication devices and systems in the field.
- INVISIO H6 Tactical Hub Advanced tactical hub for comprehensive system integration and communication management.
- INVISIO IntelliCable® Intelligent cable system with integrated control features for simplified connectivity.
Quantifiable outcome
- Prevention of noise-induced hearing damage while maintaining mission communication capability
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Racal Acoustics
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Racal Acoustics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Racal Acoustics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Racal Acoustics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- David Clark Company: David Clark is a long-established US manufacturer of aviation, ground, and marine communication headsets used by military and public safety agencies. Its military aviation and vehicle intercom offerings compete head-to-head with Racal Acoustics, particularly in tracked-vehicle and aviation applications.
- Gentex Corporation: Gentex supplies tactical communications and hearing-protection equipment, including helmet-mounted systems, to US and allied militaries. Its integrated helmet-comms approach closely mirrors Racal Acoustics' helmet-integrated RA4000 and similar offerings.
- INVISIO Group: INVISIO Group is the parent company and broader tactical communications portfolio owner. Its complementary headsets, control units, and intercom systems (T30, T7, X7, V60 II) sit alongside Racal Acoustics products and compete for the same defense and public safety programs.
- MSA Safety (Sordin / Tactical Communications): MSA Safety's Sordin brand produces military-grade active and passive hearing protection headsets used by NATO forces. It competes directly with Racal Acoustics in dismounted soldier, vehicle, and aviation crew hearing-protection programs.
- 3M (Peltor ComTac / Tactical Communications): 3M's Peltor ComTac and CH-3 headsets are direct competitors in tactical hearing protection and communication for military and law enforcement. Both companies sell active noise reduction headsets to NATO and allied militaries for dismounted and mounted operations.
- Bose (Military & Tactical Audio): Bose's military and tactical audio division supplies active noise reduction headsets and communication systems to armed forces. Its strong brand recognition and ANR technology overlap directly with Racal Acoustics' value proposition in dismounted and mounted soldier audio.
Broad incumbents
- Thales Group: Thales is a global defense prime with integrated soldier communications, vehicle intercoms, and hearing-protection solutions. It frequently competes with Racal Acoustics on European and Australian defense platform programs.
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a major defense prime offering integrated tactical communications, hearing protection, and networked soldier systems. As a much larger incumbent, it competes with Racal Acoustics in platform-integrated communication bids across US, UK, and allied militaries.
- Saab (Barracuda / Tactical Communications): Saab's defense portfolio includes tactical communication and soldier-system solutions for Nordic and allied militaries. It competes with Racal Acoustics/INVISIO for vehicle-integrated communication and hearing-protection programs in tracked and wheeled platforms.
- Honeywell Aerospace (Military Communication Systems): Honeywell's defense communications business produces integrated intercom, hearing protection, and audio management systems for military aircraft and vehicles. It competes with Racal Acoustics in rotary/fixed wing and armored vehicle programs globally.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Racal Acoustics social profiles
Digital presenceRacal Acoustics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Racal Acoustics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Racal Acoustics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Racal Acoustics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Racal Acoustics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Racal Acoustics
What does Racal Acoustics do?
Racal Acoustics designs, manufactures, and supports advanced hearing protection and communication headsets (RA5100, RA4000, RA5001, RA315, RA108) for use in environments with constant high noise. The portfolio also includes control units, intercom systems, tactical hubs, and accessories, serving defense forces, rescue services, and aviation sectors with customized integration and through-life support.
Is Racal Acoustics a public or private company?
Racal Acoustics is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Racal Acoustics founded?
Racal Acoustics was founded in 1911. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Racal Acoustics based?
Racal Acoustics is headquartered in Harrow, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Racal Acoustics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales - Communication Headsets are the primary driver. The others are control Units and Intercom Systems and professional Services and Custom Integration.
Who are Racal Acoustics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are David Clark Company, Gentex Corporation, INVISIO Group, MSA Safety (Sordin / Tactical Communications), 3M (Peltor ComTac / Tactical Communications) and Bose (Military & Tactical Audio). Broad incumbents are Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies, Saab (Barracuda / Tactical Communications) and Honeywell Aerospace (Military Communication Systems).
Does Racal Acoustics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Racal Acoustics.
What industry is Racal Acoustics in?
Racal Acoustics's product category is Tactical Communication & Hearing Protection Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACAFAH, Microphones, Headsets & Audio Input Devices. Its NAICS code is 334310 and its SIC code is 3669.