Racal Acoustics

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.

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

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

• Tactical communication headsets
• Hearing protection equipment
• Military intercom systems
• Active noise reduction
• Defense audio solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Control Units and Intercom Systems: Sales of control units (V60 II, V50 II, V20 II, V10 II) and intercom systems for tactical communication integration.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/INVISIOCOMMUNICATION
• Facebookfacebook.com/invisiotacticalcommunicationsystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/invisio-tactical-communication-systems/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/invisioofficial

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Racal Acoustics