KDH Defense Systems, Inc.

What KDH Defense Systems, Inc. does

KDH Defense Systems, Inc. is a U.S. defense manufacturer headquartered at 750-A W Fieldcrest Rd., Eden, North Carolina, focused on ballistic protection systems and body armor for military and federal agency customers. Its product portfolio spans military-grade plate carriers (SPC – Soldier Plate Carrier, USMC Plate Carrier), modular scalable vests (MSV GEN II), hard armor including rifle plates and ballistic helmets, soft armor systems and inserts, and specialized equipment such as the BLAST Pelvic Protector (BPP) for blast and IED injuries. Federal/LE-focused offerings include the HIDDEN DEFENDER 2.0 concealable system, HARD CORE GC, and HARD CORE LC body armor, the latter supplied to the U.S. Secret Service for protective details. The company sells exclusively to approved U.S. Military Procurement or Contracting Offices and authorized federal agencies, supported by a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract (2GS-07F-0153T) and dedicated military and federal sales channels. KDH operates an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing facility (certification issued by Amtivo, 2025) and runs an enterprise field-sales model into government procurement. Primary customer segments are the U.S. Military (with the U.S. Marine Corps as a named buyer) and federal law enforcement; state and local law enforcement is listed as a secondary segment. Revenue mechanics are hardware sales delivered through direct government procurement and GSA Advantage orders; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Note: the supporting webpage content corresponds to the Armor Express brand at the same Eden, NC address, suggesting KDH Defense Systems and Armor Express operate as related entities or that Armor Express is a product brand/channel of KDH.

Name

KDH Defense Systems, Inc.

Website

https://kdhdefensesystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

KDH Defense Systems is a U.S. defense manufacturer of ballistic protection systems, plate carriers, hard and soft body armor, and helmets sold exclusively to approved U.S. Military procurement offices and federal law enforcement agencies via GSA Schedule contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Ballistic Protection Equipment

NAICS

Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994)

SIC

Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Defense Acquisition, Procurement & Contracting (BPAIAHAB)

Keywords

• Ballistic body armor
• Military plate carriers
• Tactical protective equipment
• Hard armor helmets
• Soft armor inserts

Headquarters

HQ city

Eden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Military Equipment Sales: Direct sales of body armor, plate carriers, helmets, and protective equipment to U.S. military branches and federal agencies through approved procurement channels.
2. Federal/Government Contract Sales: Sales through GSA schedule contracts to federal law enforcement and government agencies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

KDH Defense Systems manufactures and sells military-grade ballistic protection equipment, including plate carriers, modular vests, hard armor (rifle plates, helmets, shields), soft armor inserts, and blast protection systems. Products are sold only to approved U.S. Military Procurement offices and federal law enforcement agencies through GSA schedule contracts. The company operates an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing facility in Eden, North Carolina.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• GSA (General Services Administration)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGSA Schedule holder enabling federal agencies to procure products through GSA Advantage. Contract number 2GS-07F-0153T. Provides access to government procurement channels.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Point Blank Enterprises: One of the largest U.S. manufacturers of body armor, ballistic vests, and plate carriers for military and law enforcement; directly competes with KDH on the same DoD and federal protective equipment programs.
• Safariland (ballistic protection): Produces concealable and tactical body armor, ballistic panels, and hard armor plates for federal and military buyers; competes head-to-head with KDH on GSA and DoD protective equipment contracts.
• Revision Military: Specialist in soldier protective equipment including ballistic helmets, armor systems, and eyewear for U.S. and allied militaries; comparable product mix and customer base to KDH's hard armor line.
• Avon Protection: Designs and manufactures respiratory, ballistic, and head protection systems for military, law enforcement, and first responders; overlaps with KDH on helmets and tactical protection.
• Gentex Corporation: Supplies advanced ballistic helmets, hearing protection, and soldier systems to the U.S. DoD; directly competes on helmet and head-borne protection programs.

Broad incumbents

• BAE Systems (Platform & Services): Large global defense prime with a significant body armor and survivability portfolio serving U.S. Army and allied militaries; competes for the same large multi-year soldier protection awards that KDH pursues.
• 3M (Personal Safety Division): Diversified manufacturer with a ballistic protection portfolio (e.g., Defender+ plates) sold into military and law enforcement; competes indirectly on hard armor plates and protective materials.

Others

• Armor Express: Operates from the same Eden, NC address as KDH Defense Systems with overlapping GSA and federal sales channels; appears to be either a related entity, parent, or operating brand of KDH, making it the closest operational reference point.
• Teijin Aramid (Twaron): Upstream supplier of para-aramid fibers (Twaron) used in soft ballistic armor; relevant as a key materials input rather than a direct competitor, but shapes KDH's bill of materials and pricing power.
• DuPont (Kevlar / Life Protection): Supplier of Kevlar aramid fiber used widely in soft body armor; not a direct competitor but a critical enabling materials provider whose pricing and supply continuity affect KDH's soft armor economics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kdh-defense-systems-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 KDH Defense Systems, Inc.